Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) reveals baseline environmental studies indicate there are no threatened or priority species of flora and fauna present on the Lake Hope high-purity alumina deposit in Western Australia, as it progresses the Prefeasibility Study (PFS).
While the studies show a few protected species are present around parts of the proposed site logistics, Impact says they will not have a material effect on development.
The company, which has a market capitalisation of $60.15 million, says further surveys will soon be undertaken in these areas and also along the route of the proposed haul road to the Norseman-Hyden road.
The surveys, combined with previous heritage clearances, are designed to support a mining lease application and guide environmental and Aboriginal cultural heritage management plans.
Managing Director Dr Mike Jones says the baseline survey results confirm that the environmental impact of the proposed development of Lake Hope will be small.
“Given that mining will only leave a hole about one to two metres deep in the lake, the environmental risk and any post-mine rehabilitation are considered to be minimal at this stage,” he says.
Meanwhile, Impact has appointed David English as the Feasibility Study manager for the project. English helped lead the teams that developed Sandfire Resources’ (ASX:SFR) DeGrussa mine and the now IGO (ASX:IGO) owned Nova-Bollinger nickel-copper mine.
The PFS is on schedule to be completed in Q4 this year.
The company has also appointed Indigenous Services Australia to help discussions and negotiations with the Ngadju Aboriginal group, the traditional owners of the land that the Lake Hope project sits on.
Metallurgical test work is continuing and talks are underway with potential candidates for a marketing role for the end-products.
Impact Minerals has a portfolio of tenements spanning more than 5,500km2.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Impact Minerals
