Patriot Battery Metals (ASX:PMT) is progressing permitting activities for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Lithium Project in Canada, with the submission of an initial project description to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Cree Nation Government have confirmed that the submitted documents meet the necessary requirements. As a result, the federal permitting process can begin.
Patriot, which has a market capitalisation of $429.96 million, says this process is running concurrently with the provincial permitting process which is already underway. This process aligns with submitting the provincial and federal environment and social impact assessments (ESIA) for late this year.
The ESIA submissions will be supported by over three years of environmental base line data collection, as well as extensive community consultations.
CEO Ken Brinsden says a lot of work has been achieved to ensure Shaakichiuwaanaan is well-placed in the global lithium raw material development pipeline.
“From discovery and establishing a globally significant resource, to moving the project to the upcoming mine authorisation process in less than four years, demonstrates both the quality in the project and team delivering it,” Brinsden says.
“We also note with interest recent comments in the public domain in respect of federal approvals, minimising duplication and greater provincial approval cooperation.”
Brinsden notes the company plans to maintain close-contact with all of the key government agencies and the Cree, to ensure a diligent and timely approval process for the project.
The Shaakichiuwaanaan Project, located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Québec, hosts a resource of 80.1 million tonnes @ 1.44% lithium oxide in the indicated category and 1.31% lithium oxide in the inferred category.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Patriot Battery Metals
