Government Approves Environmental Plan For Gold-Copper Development
Rex Minerals Ltd (ASX:RXM ) has achieved a significant milestone with its proposed Hillside Copper-Gold Project on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia (SA) receiving government Programme for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) approval.
Managing Director and CEO, Richard Laufmann, said approval of the PEPR is a critical and strategic step in the development of the highly-prospective Hillside Copper-Gold Project.
“In expressing our genuine thanks to the SA Government as well as to the local community, it is appropriate to comment on the extensive and exhaustive engagement within a rigorous process, ensuring that we have achieved a new benchmark in environmental and social stewardship,” Mr Laufmann said.
“Representatives from the “Hillside Mine Community Voice” and the Narungga Nation stand out amongst the vast complex of stakeholders engaged over the many years.
“This approval comes at a critical juncture for South Australia, indeed the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated our economy in ways none of our generations could have experienced.
“Mining developments like the Hillside Project will be a critical bedrock in the nation’s recovery, providing opportunities for wealth creation in the trifecta of local community jobs and business opportunities, government royalties and taxes, and shareholder returns.”
Mr Laufmann said the Hillside Project dovetails neatly into the SA Government’s plans in establishing South Australia as a world-leading copper precinct.
“Copper is one of the fundamental elements that is crucial to the electrification of everything. As the transition to an electrified world gathers momentum, Hillside is well placed to feed into that exciting and emerging thematic.
“As is standard practice, a copy of the PEPR will be published via the SA Government’s Department for Energy and Mining and Rex’s websites in coming days.
“It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the exhaustive efforts of so many people – staff, consultants and indeed Rex shareholders – for their persistence, diligence and patience over the period of PEPR compilation, consideration and approval.
“This is the time for nation building – Go Australia!”
The Hillside Project leverages off already existing infrastructure. These include:
- Access – The Project is connected by a major highway (within a two-hour drive) to the city of Adelaide (population 1.2 million).
- Power and Water – The Project area is connected to South Australia’s main power grid and water network. The majority of the process water will be available from saline bores located on the freehold land purchased by Rex. Rex owns the freehold land on which the mine plan is located.
- Port and Town – The Project is located close to the town of Ardrossan. Ardrossan is a community familiar with mining, given that a nearby open-cut dolomite mine ships its product through the port. The Project also has ready access to the Port of Adelaide by road, a distance of approximately 160km.
