Kingsrose Mining (ASX:KRM) has received approvals to undertake drilling at the Karenhaugen prospect, within the Porsanger Project in Norway.
The Porsanger Project sits at the northern end of two converging greenstone belts that are considered prospective for ultramafic hosted massive sulphide nickel-copper-platinum group element mineralisation.
In April 2022, Kingsrose applied for a permit to drill at the project. However, appeals were raised by the local reindeer herding district and Sámi Parliament, resulting in the application being forwarded to the Ministry for processing in August 2022.
In January 2024, appeals were lodged again and Kingsrose advised the appeals against the granting of the permit to drill were not upheld by the King in Council.
Kingsrose, which has a market capitalisation of $27.88 million, says the latest granting is not subject to further appeals and allows the company to drill up to seven drill pad locations.
As part of the granted permit, Kingsrose can only carry out the drilling program between 1 December and 15 February. The company must also conduct an ongoing assessment of the risks and impacts of drilling.
The company is also required to provide for two members of Spierttagáisá to be present during drilling operations.
Head of Sustainability Graham Farrer says the company has been working diligently to design a drilling program that protects local values.
“We consider this a major step in unlocking other prospects across the Finnmark area of interest,” Farrer says.
“We look forward to demonstrating our responsible approach to exploration through our actions and collaborating with local communities to explore the mineral potential of the Finnmark region.”
The Karenhaugen prospect is within an area of interest under an alliance agreement for Finnmark between Kingsrose and BHP (ASX:BHP). BHP is currently sole funding up to US$20 million ($30.76 million) in exploration costs over four years.
In conjunction, Kingsrose will continue advancing dialogue and cooperation with Spierttagáisá and local communities to design a best-in-class responsible drilling program.
Kingsrose Mining is a mineral explorer focused on nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group element projects in Finland and Norway.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Kingsrose Mining
