Savannah Resources Plc (LON:SAV) has lodged environmental impact assessment (EIA) documents at Mahab 4 in Oman, the first part of its application for licensing the copper mine development.
The scoping EIA and the full EIA for the Maqail South mine development in Block 5 have also been lodged. Savannah is a 65% shareholder in Al Fairuz Mining, the holder of the Block 5 licence.
Eight Ministerial approvals are required to get a mining licence in Oman, with four so far signed off for each of Mahab 4 and Maqail South.
Savannah is aiming of completion of its licensing process and mining studies in time for an investment decision late 2017, with mining targeted to commence by the end of the year.
Savannah's chief executive, David Archer said: "We have been making very positive progress since the mining licence applications for our high-grade copper Mahab 4 and Maqail South deposits were lodged with the Public Authority for Mining ('PAM') on 30 June 2016.
"In addition to our licensing efforts and to ensure timely delivery of the projects, a series of parallel studies are underway including finalising and auditing of the resources for Mahab 4 and Maqail, additional metallurgical test work including tailings thickening test work and the development of a detailed mine design and production plan for the two mines. We are also assessing several processing plant turn-key solutions.”