Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI) continues to make headway amid discussions with the Government of Guinea surrounding its Bankan gold camp.
In October 2021, the gold explorer flagged further engagement with the country’s Ministries of Mines and Environment owing to Bankan’s proximity to the Upper Niger National Park (UNNP).
Both the NE Bankan and Bankan Creek deposits sit within the second buffer zone of the Guinean national park, where multiple-use activities are permitted, and Predictive maintains it has been operating in the area in line with its valid exploration permits.
With a view to mine the gold discovery in the future, PDI has developed and presented an assistance proposal, which has now been given the green light, to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MESD).
Members of Predictive’s leadership team have also engaged in “cordial and productive” meetings with the Guinean Government departments, leading to an environmental authorisation that validates the Environmental and Social Impact Notice and covers the four exploration permits that make up the Bankan Project.
Discussions continue
Recently, Predictive executive director Paul Roberts and country manager Aimé NGanare met with Guinea's new Minister of Mines and Geology, Monsieur Moussa Magassouba, and the new Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Madame Louopou Lamah, to discuss Bankan’s development.
Through its support proposal, Predictive intends to provide a staged program of assistance to the national parks authority for its conservation activities in the Upper Niger National Park during Bankan Project’s exploration, development and mining phases.
In brief, the proposal outlines the following support:
- Exploration phase:
- Provision of supplies to UNNP staff;
- Assistance with seasonal (post-rainy season) fire prevention activities; and
- Joint development of a research strategy to support OGPR’s conservation activities in the UNNP.
- Mine development and mining phases:
- Ongoing provision of supplies as above;
- Provision of various types of equipment and transport capabilities to aid UNNP staff in their conservation-related work in the Mafou Forest and surrounding buffer zone; and
- Financial support for a research foundation intended to facilitate new scientific research by both Guinean national and international groups to address important problems relevant to wildlife conservation in the Mafou Forest.
Since the initial meetings, the company has received the following documents, signed by the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development:
- A letter approving the content of the above proposals and assuring support, based on the Guinea Government’s principle of reconciling the needs for economic and social development with protection of the environment. The letter also reaffirmed the legal requirements for the development of an Environmental and Social Impact study and operational management plan on the Bankan Project in accordance with the Guinea Government’s high standards; and
- An environmental authorisation, validating the Environmental and Social Impact Notice report and covering the four exploration permits which constitute the Bankan Project, based on baseline environmental and social studies which the company has commissioned in recent months.
In the years ahead, PDI expects to maintain very close contact with the Ministries of Mines and Geology and Environment and Sustainable Development as the project advances.
Overall, Predictive hopes the discussions will help legally resolve the partial overlap of the Bankan project on the outer buffer zones of the UNNP before the company applies for a mining permit.
Finding mutually satisfactory solution
Speaking to Predictive’s work with the Government of Guinea in October, then-managing director Paul Roberts said: “Predictive Discovery has always been fully committed to abide by the legislative and regulatory framework applicable in all the jurisdictions it operates in and we are extremely conscious of our responsibilities to our host country and its local communities.
“We have built strong relationships with the Guinean authorities, in particular the Ministry of Mines and Geology as well as the Ministry of Environment, which have been supportive of the Bankan Gold Project since the outset, and we look forward to finding a mutually satisfactory solution that will allow the benefits of our gold discoveries to be realised in many forms by the community and our shareholders.
“We will take an ESG-led approach to all our activities within Guinea and believe that our social and environmental practices are critical to the long-term success of our Bankan Gold Project as they will deliver important and tangible benefits for the local community, while assisting the Government to improve its conservation efforts in the region.”