Infinity Lithium Corporation Ltd (ASX:INF) has lodged an Exploitation Concession Application (ECA) at the San José Lithium Project with the Regional Government of Extremadura in Spain and its Dirección General de Industria, Energía y Minas (mines department).
The proposed fully integrated industrial project is focused on the production of battery-grade lithium chemicals from a mica feedstock that represents the European Union's second-largest JORC-compliant hard rock lithium deposit.
Application lodged
The ECA for the fully integrated project lodged with the regional government includes the rights to mine lithium at San José and the accompanying on-site lithium chemical conversion.
The ECA involves a multi-stage process in which there will be ongoing interaction between the regional government of Extremadura and Infinity, who will continue collaborating with the government and the relevant departments throughout the process.
This will involve a series of departmental review and public consultation periods including the mining licence application documentation contained in environmental, rehabilitation and financial submissions.
"Significant milestone"
Infinity managing director and CEO Ryan Parkin said: “We are pleased to have collaborated with relevant authorities to successfully implement the permitting strategy and submission of a Direct Exploitation Concession Application.
“The proactive and consultative approach initiated originally through the EIA Scoping Document, and subsequent timely processing of land tenure through Exploration Permit Extremadura, has facilitated the formal assessment of an environmentally and socially advanced project proposal in line with the criteria demanded by the government.
“The lodgement of the ECA notification represents a significant milestone for the project and formalises the next stage of project momentum.”
Government committed to lithium projects
Infinity notes that the project remains eligible for PREMIA project classification as a project of general and regional interest, and qualification for accelerated permitting consideration.
The regional government of Extremadura has previously reinforced its commitment to lithium projects in Extremadura, announcing future stimulus measures and the provision of legal guarantees for companies to facilitate lithium mineral processing in the region.