Europa Metals PLC (LON:EUZ) said it was now “formalising and developing” its stakeholder engagement programme for the Toral Project after meeting local mayors in the Castilla y León area of north-west Spain, which is host to the lead, zinc and silver deposit.
“Mining activity should only go forward with correct, standardised community engagement and we are fortunate to be operating in a mining region where community representatives fully understand the impact of future mining development,” said Europa director Laurence Read.
The local mayors have said they want to work with Europa on the next round of meetings.
The company, meanwhile, has committed to creating two websites (europametals.es and proyectotoral.com) that will “provide an online hub for feedback” as well as answering queries or concerns about the Toral Project.
They will also outline how a future underground lead, zinc and silver mine would work, while assessing the potential economic impact of the mine.
"Working within this knowledge framework, we have taken on board the local mayors' recommendation to begin formal community meetings and, as the project moves forward, will seek to address the key criteria which make the Toral Project appropriate to the area,” said Read.
“[We will address] economic benefits, including jobs, tax revenues and local content policy giving preference to local suppliers, low environmental impact and best practice water management systems, a clear waste plan utilising underground storage as well as overground stacked tailings, clearly demonstrating the processing and separation process to produce concentrates without the types of harmful additives seen in some metal production."