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Berkeley Energy (LON:BKY, ASX:BKY) is close to having the 'Full Monty' when it comes to approvals for the initial infrastructure development of the Salamanca uranium project.
Following the gazetting of the approval from the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism it has now received all the European Union, national, regional and provincial level approvals required for the initial infrastructure development of the Salamanca project in Spain.
The final stages of the local approvals are well advanced and expected to be finalised well ahead of the target commencement date of mid-2016, Berkeley received.
Meanwhile, the applications from workers keen to work on the mine are flooding in, with more than 18,000 applicants for the first 200 jobs at the project.
The project will generate over 450 direct jobs and the University of Salamanca has estimated a further 2,300 indirect jobs will be created, making Berkeley one of the largest employers in a community that has suffered badly from the effects of the younger generation deserting the area to see jobs in urban areas.
"With these approvals in hand there is a growing realisation that the project is rapidly moving into the development phase,” said managing director Paul Atherley.
"The response to our first skills training programmes for locals, some of whom have previously worked in the local uranium mining operations, has been overwhelming,” Atherley added.
Meanwhile, on the financing front, the company said it has been approached by a number of potential financiers, and it is sizing up its options.
Asked by Proactive Investors about the company's funding requirements, Atherley said the company has not revealed the final number yet but said it would be less than previous announcements had indicated.
“It's less than US$100mln,” he said, adding that the company is receiving approaches from potential backers “almost on a weekly basis, so we know the money's out there”.
Atherley was especially pleased that the company is set to bring work opportunities to an area of massive unemployment.
Nearly all of the job applications have been from locals, he revealed.
“A lot of tech companies open up businesses in cities; we go to the rural community and create jobs in depressed areas, and it is greatly appreciated,” Atherley said.
Shares in Berkeley Energy were little changed on Wednesday morning.