Toro Energy Limited (ASX:TOE) to Lodge Final Environmental Review and Management Program on Proposed Wiluna Uranium Mine Next Month

Perth, Nov 30, 2011 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The final Environmental Review and Management Program for the Wiluna Uranium Project is expected to be lodged next month by Toro Energy Limited (ASX:TOE). The ERMP outlines the Company's plans to develop a uranium mine from late next year at Wiluna in Western Australia, and includes environmental management strategies and responses to public submissions.

Toro Chairman, Ms Erica Smyth, told the Company's Annual General Meeting in Adelaide today that some 48 submissions had been received from the public and Government to the Wiluna environmental assessment documents released for public review on 25 July this year.

Toro is carefully reviewing all of the public submissions that were made during the 14-week consultation period which closed on 31 October. "Our Wiluna team is now working on the responses submitted by the public and any additional information required for Toro's final Environmental Management Review Programme submission," Ms Smyth said.

"We anticipate being in a position to lodge this response during December.

"Subject to WA and Federal Government processes, Toro Energy anticipates final government approval decisions on the proposed Wiluna uranium mine, around mid-2012."

Toro has set an objective of first Wiluna uranium oxide production by late in 2013.

The ERMP documentation, including all public comment and Toro's subsequent response, will be used by the Federal and Western Australian Governments to make final decisions about a go-ahead for the 100%-owned Toro project.

The December submission from Toro will be lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia which will assess and make recommendations to government under its charter to lead the government assessment of the project via bilateral agreement between the Western Australian and Federal Governments.

Toro's Managing Director, Mr Greg Hall, said today the Company had been highly transparent on how it saw Wiluna evolving as a pioneering, modern day, well managed, world's best practice uranium mine.

"We actively encouraged public participation in the ERMP exposure period including hosting public information days in the four WA regional centres of Wiluna, Leonora, Menzies and Kalgoorlie," Mr Hall said. "We are carefully reviewing all comments provided by the public to ensure that the project can be developed in a sustainable way."

He said that subject to satisfactory progress of the ERMP / EIS process, Toro hoped to be in a position by third quarter next year to take the Wiluna project to its Board for final investment decision ahead of a planned start to mine construction late in 2012 and commissioning in late 2013.

Contact

Greg Hall Toro Energy Limited Tel: +61-8-8132-5600 Email: info@toroenergy.com.au http://www.toroenergy.com.au