Aura Energy receives final permit for Mauritania uranium project
Published by Jane Bentham,
Editorial Assistant
Global Mining Review,
Aura Energy Limited has announced that it has received from the Mauritanian Government the last outstanding material permit to allow the construction and operation of the Tiris Uranium Project.
The authorisation to develop, mine and produce uranium oxide concentrate (UOC) was issued by the National Authority for Radiation Protection, Safety and Nuclear Security (L'Autorité Nationale de Radioprotection de Sûreté et de Sécurité Nucléaire (ARSN)) on the 12 July 2024.
This is the last material licence required to commence construction, mine and produce uranium from Tiris, and is a very significant step towards achieving a Final Investment Decision (FID) by 1Q25.
Approvals for the export of uranium will be granted as part of a routine export monitoring programme and in accordance with international safeguards for monitoring the movement of radioactive materials. There are no limits on the volumes of future uranium production, which will allow significant flexibility for the operation including the potential for future expansion of production rate beyond 2 million lb/y U3O8. Production rates are currently being investigated on the back of the significant 55% increase in mineral resources to 91.3 million lb U3O8 announced last month.
The Company has contracted a major international company specialising in the transportation of radioactive materials for the future seaborne transportation of UOC produced from Tiris to international converters.
In a strong show of support for the Company and the development of Tiris, the Mauritanian Government – by order of Prime Minister Mohamed Ould Bilal – an inter-ministerial committee has been formed to facilitate and support the development of Tiris and the uranium mining industry in Mauritania. The committee will be headed by ARSN and will be a central point of contact for all ministries to facilitate and support the rapid development of the future Tiris Uranium Mine.
Progress at Tiris is developing rapidly. The authorisation to develop, mine, and produce UOC follows the commencement of funding activities and multiple project development activities announced earlier this month including:
- Appointment of owners team to develop the Project.
- Mine plan optimisation and Project expansion studies.
- Lycopodium undertaking Project optimisation and cost review.
- Water resource development.
- Environment Social Governance (ESG) framework development.
Aura MD and CEO, Andrew Grove, commented: “We are very pleased with the very high levels of support and confidence shown by the Mauritian Government towards Aura and the development of a long term globally significant uranium mining industry in Mauritania, commencing with Tiris.
The final approval and formation of the inter-ministerial committee are important steps as we rapidly progress towards FID and developing a uranium mine at Tiris in the near term.
There are also numerous activities underway that should materially enhance Tiris’ Project FEED economics of NPV US$388 million and IRR 36% after tax.
We look forward to keeping shareholders and stakeholders informed regarding Aura’s and Tiris’ rapid progress.”
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/16072024/aura-energy-receives-final-permit-for-mauritania-uranium-project/
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