Australia-based A-Cap Resources has secured environmental approval for its Letlhakane uranium project in Botswana.
The Botswana Department of Environment Affairs (DEA) approved the environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with Section 12 (1a) of the Botswana Environmental Assessment Act No.10 of 2011.
A-Cap said in a statement: "This is a major milestone for A-Cap and its flagship Uranium project, with the EIS approval being an important requirement in securing a mining licence."
In January 2009, the company started work to study and identify the overall environmental and social impacts associated with developing the first uranium mine in Botswana.
SLR Consulting (Africa) prepared the EIS process and documentation for the project in conjunction with Botswana-based consulting firm Ecosurv.
A study process was completed by the parties, consisting of screening and scoping phases, as well as a detailed impact assessment/environmental management.
In March, the DEA confirmed that A-Cap’s EIS had identified and assessed anticipated impacts associated with the project and carried out public review process for four weeks.
The department received and evaluated the public comments and gave formal approval for the project.
Letlhakane uranium project is 80km from Francistown and is based on shallow open-pit mining, heap leach and solvent extraction.
An application was submitted by A-Cap on 18 August 2015 for a mining licence, in order to bring the project into early production.
Over the years, A-Cap secured the required funding to complete the feasibility work for a mining licence application for the project.
