Vimy Resources Limited (ASX:VMY, OTCQB:VMRSF) has formally submitted notification of “substantial commencement” of the Mulga Rock Uranium Project (Mulga Rock) to the Western Australian Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER).
Implementation of Mulga Rock was approved under Ministerial Statement No. 1046 (MS 1046) on 16 December 2016. Under conditions 3-1 and 3-2 of MS 1046, Vimy is required to substantially commence implementation of the Proposal within five years and provide notification and supporting evidence.
Since receiving Ministerial approval in 2016, Vimy has diligently progressed the project and undertaken significant work at Mulga Rock.
Major milestones include:
• Completion of the 2018 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and 2020 DFS Refresh;
• Approval of eight Condition Environmental Management Plans – with the last approved in April 2021;
• Approval of the Mulga Rock East Project Management Plan – granted on 26 August 2021;
• Approval of the Mulga Rock East Project Mining Proposal on 29 September 2021; and
• Commencement of the Early Works Program – now largely completed.
CEO, Steven Michael, said aince commencing the Early Works Program in late September 2021, Vimy has cleared approximately 143 hectares and stockpiled the corresponding soil and growth medium.
The area cleared covers the first open cut mine pit under the approved Mining Proposal, the first ‘Overburden Landform’, the area for the accommodation village and communications tower, borrow pits and upgrades to existing site access roads.
“Notification of substantial commencement at Mulga Rock is a proud moment and major milestone in the development of Western Australia’s first uranium mine,” Mr Michael said.
“The Vimy Board, management and consultants have diligently advanced the project over the last five years and what our on-site team and contractors have achieved since receiving approval of the Mining Proposal just two months ago is amazing.
“The foundations are now in place to build a long-life, strategic resource project for Western Australia, and the Board of Vimy is focussed on rapidly advancing Mulga Rock to its next development milestone.
“Vimy will continue to work co-operatively with the various State and Federal government departments to obtain the approvals required to ensure Mulga Rock delivers first uranium production in 2025. Once developed, Mulga Rock will produce 3.5Mlbs of uranium oxide per annum and will power eight nuclear power stations which is equivalent to 70% of Western Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions or 12% of Australia’s total emissions.”
Mulga Rock Substantial Commencement Vimy has determined that the cumulative clearance of approximately 162 hectares and movement of approximately 800,000 bcm of soil and growth medium constitutes substantial commencement of implementation of the Proposal, as required under MS 1046. The area cleared covers the first open cut mine pit required to be cleared under the approved Mining Proposal, the first ‘Overburden Landform’ associated with that pit (classified as ‘Associated Infrastructure’), the area for the accommodation village and communications tower, borrow pits and upgrades to site access roads, consistent with the project schedule. The topsoil and growth medium removal has taken place at both ‘Elements’ in compliance with approved MS 1046, Conditional Environmental Management Plans, Project Management Plan, and Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan.
For further information please visit: https://www.vimyresources.com.au/
