Victory Metals has completed a set of baseline environmental and biological studies at its North Stanmore heavy rare earth project in Western Australia.
Comprehensive studies were completed across flora, fauna, surface water, groundwater, soils and waste fields, with the results confirming significant development potential and no challenges with the local environment.
They show there are no threatened flora or ecological communities recorded within the project area. They also affirm that surface water flows consistent with regional norms and are manageable through standard practices. The project also lies wholly outside of the local drinking water supply of the nearby town of Cue (population 178), with no surplus water generation expected as a result of mining activity.
Victory chief executive officer and executive director Brendan Clark said the environmental research meant the project could move forward with its development with greater confidence for all stakeholders.
“Baseline environmental studies are an important step in de-risking a project, and these results are highly encouraging,” he said.
“To confirm no threatened flora or ecological communities and no major fauna constraints across our project area gives Victory a clear path forward from an approvals perspective.”
Clark noted that North Stanmore was one of the development-ready heavy rare earth clay projects in Australia. With a resource estimate of over 320 million tonnes, it is also one of the biggest.
“We remain focused on progressing the pre-feasability study at rapid pace, advancing funding discussions, and ensuring that Victory develops responsibly, sustainably mining practices,” he said.
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