Rio2 Limited (TSX-V:RIO, OTCQX:RIOFF) has said that a decision regarding the environmental impact assessment process for its Fenix gold project in Chile should be coming in the next couple of weeks.
The company’s Chilean subsidiary Fenix Gold Limitada is currently engaged in the approvals process for the large-scale gold operation.
Rio2 has already completed the Indigenous Consultation Process for the environmental impact assessment, successfully reaching a final agreement in April 2022.
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The Fenix mine will be a run-of-mine heap leach operation, with no crushing or tailings storage facilities, which minimizes the overall impact of the project, according to Rio2.
However, a Consolidated Evaluation Report published this week by the Environmental Assessment Service has recommended to reject the environmental impact assessment for the project, citing not enough information during the evaluation process to eliminate adverse impacts over the chinchilla, guanaco and vicuna – all local wildlife.
The Consolidated Evaluation Report will be presented to the Comision de Evaluacion Regional which includes 11 governmental institutions with environmental competencies that will vote to approve or disapprove the environmental impact assessment.
“Fenix Gold has been working diligently throughout the environmental assessment process to provide all the required information,” Rio2 said in a statement.
“Fenix Gold remains committed to continue working with the SEA and other governmental institutions to resolve and mitigate any potential impacts that need further consideration to secure approval for the project.”
The Fenix gold project is expected to generate employment for approximately 1,200 people during the construction phase and 550 people during the 17-year operation phase.
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