BERKELEY ENERGY LIMITED
AIM RELEASE | 21 OCTOBER 2015 | AIM/ASX:BKY
Major permits in place for the Salamanca project
Following the gazetting of the approval from the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism the Company has now received all the European Union, National, Regional and Provincial level approvals required for the initial infrastructure development of the Salamanca project.
The final stages of the local approvals are well advanced and expected to be finalised well ahead of the target commencement date of mid-2016.
Managing Director Paul Atherley commented: "With these approvals in hand there is a growing realisation that the project is rapidly moving into the development phase.
We have now received over 18,000 applicants for the first 200 jobs the Salamanca project will be creating in a rural community which has been hard-hit by inter-generational unemployment.
The project will generate over 450 direct jobs and the University of Salamanca has estimated a further 2,300 indirect jobs will be created, making Berkeley one of the largest employers in a community which has suffered badly from the effects of rural desertification."
The Ministerial Order was signed by the Secretary of State for Energy and has now been gazetted which grants Berkeley's subsidiary, Berkeley Minera España, with the Initial Authorization for the treatment plant as a radioactive facility.
With the Mining Licence and Environmental Licence already obtained, the final approvals comprise the locally issued Urbanism Licence and the Construction Authorisation by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism.
A co-operation agreement with the relevant municipalities supporting the grant of the Urbanism Licence has been signed and the preparation of the documentation for the Construction Authorisation is well advanced. Both approvals are expected to be granted in advance of the expected commencement of site works in mid-2016.
Managing Director Paul Atherley commented further: "The response to our first skills training programs for locals, some of whom have previously worked in the local uranium mining operations, has been overwhelming.
It has given us an intimate insight into the benefits that the employment will bring to the local community and has encouraged us to expand our training programs into other areas."
Following the Board's decision to push ahead with the overall development of the project and the recent positive announcements on approvals, drill results and metallurgical test work, the Company has received a number of approaches from potential financiers which are now being advanced.
For further information contact:
Paul Atherley |
Hugo Schumann |
John Prior / Paul Gillam |
Managing Director |
Corporate Manager |
Numis Securities |
+44 207 478 3900 |
+44 207 478 3900 |
Nomad & Broker
+44 207 260 1000 |
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[email protected] |
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