Mining Licence Approved for Granting at Makuutu
Perth, Oct 20, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of Ionic Rare Earths Limited (
ASX:IXR) (IXRRF:OTCMKTS) is pleased to announce that the Company, via Rwenzori Rare Metals Limited ("Rwenzori"), has received advice from the Ugandan Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) that the Large-Scale Mining License TN03834 for the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earth Project has been Approved for Granting over Retention Licence (RL) 1693.
This approval comes after the recent show of support for the project from The Hon Dr Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Ugandan government Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, who spoke highly of the Project at the Africa Down Under Mining Conference in early September (ASX 11 September 2023).
The approval to grant the mining licence follows the gazetting of the updated Mining and Minerals (Licencing) Regulations 2023 to provide a clear framework for mineral development in Uganda, and the submission of documentation which has been reviewed and approved by Ugandan DGSM.
Subsequent to this, the MLA has been signed and gazetted in Uganda paving the way for the formal issuance the of Mining Licence once the first annual fees have been paid and land access to the RL1693 has been verified by the Ugandan department.
The Stage 1 Mining Licence (TN03834) covers the area set out in IonicRE's mining licence application (as shown in Figure 1*), which covers approximately 44 square kilometres of the Project's near 300 square kilometres of tenements at Makuutu. The Company announced a positive Feasibility Study over RL1693 earlier this year (ASX 20 March 2023) and received approval to build a Demonstration Plant at Makuutu, which is progressing well.
Ionic Rare Earths Managing Director Tim Harrison said the notice received on the approval to grant the mining licence by the DGSM was an important milestone for the Project.
"We are pleased with the announcement today that the DGSM has officially approved for granting the Large Scale Mining License TN03834 over RL 1693, which now completes all regulatory approvals on the award of the Mining Licence for the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earth Project. This is a vital step for Ionic Rare Earths and Rwenzori, and in mining, refining, and recycling heavy rare earths critical for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defence."
"This announcement reinforces the Makuutu Project as one of the world's largest and most advanced development-ready heavy rare earth element assets, and we look forward to progressing the next steps and commissioning our Demonstration Plant at Makuutu."
*To view tables and figures, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/84GO8A5G
About Ionic Rare Earths Limited
Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX:IXR) (OTCMKTS:IXRRF) is focused on developing its flagship Makuutu Rare Earths Project in Uganda into a significant long life, low-cost, supplier of high-value critical and heavy rare earths.
Makuutu is an advanced-stage, ionic adsorption clay-hosted project highlighted by near-surface mineralisation, significant exploration upside, excellent metallurgical characteristics and access to tier-one infrastructure.
The ionic adsorption clay-hosted geology at Makuutu is similar to major rare earths projects in Southern China, which are responsible for the majority of global supply of low cost heavy and critical rare earths, specifically the high value magnet metals (Dysprosium and Terbium) Heavy Rare Earths (>98% originating from ionic clays). Metallurgical testing at Makuutu has returned excellent recovery rates, which provide multiple avenues for a simple process route.
Makuutu is well-supported by tier-one existing infrastructure which includes access to major highways, roads, power, water and a professional workforce.
Rare Earths will play a critical role in the future of clean energy. Rare Earths are a key ingredient in the permanent magnets found in wind turbines and electric vehicles.
IonicRE is led by an experienced and proven team, who have the capabilities to deliver Makuutu into production and realise value for all stakeholders.
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