Verdant Minerals Ltd (ASX:VRM) has received the environmental approval from the Australian federal government for its 100% owned Ammaroo Phosphate Project in the Northern Territory (NT).
This key approval has been granted after the Department of Environment and Energy’s assessment of the Ammaroo Project in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
READ: Verdant Minerals feasibility study values phosphate project at $344 million
The receipt of federal government environmental approval represents a significant milestone in the permitting process and the attainment of a licence to operate.
Verdant is continuing the process to attain Northern Territory government approval through the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assessment process.
Environmental Impact Statement submitted
Verdant has taken another key step by formally submitting the supplement to the EIS to the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (NTEPA) for the Ammaroo Phosphate Project.
This triggers the final phase of the NT Government’s environmental impact assessment of the project.
Fertiliser produced from Ammaroo Phosphate Project
The NTEPA now has 35 days to finalise an assessment and make recommendations to the minister, subject to any time extensions that result from the NTEPA not being able to meet their statutory timeframes or the company being asked by the regulators to provide further information.
Importantly, completion of the NT Government environmental assessment processes will assist in enabling continued discussions with potential investment and offtake partners as the commercialisation of the Ammaroo project continues post the completion of the feasibility study.