Foran Mining has received ministerial approval for its 100%-owned McIlvenna Bay Project in Saskatchewan, Canada, via its wholly owned subsidiary McIlvenna Bay Operating.
Issued under the Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan), the approval marks the conclusion of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project.
Foran Mining said the approval allows it to progress with addressing the conditions and securing approvals needed to build and operate the project.
Foran executive chairman and CEO Dan Myerson said: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to maintain ongoing two-way dialogue with local communities, Indigenous peoples, and the Government of Saskatchewan, an approach that has been integral throughout the review of the Project.
“As we proceed in developing this Project and continue to explore and grow this world-class multi-generational district, we look forward to showcasing the potential of McIlvenna Bay as Canada’s next great critical minerals champion.”
Foran is planning to continue to undertake an early works campaign. This includes completing detailed engineering, procuring critical-path mining and processing equipment and various infrastructure items, among others.
Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe said: “This milestone in Foran’s McIlvenna Bay project is a positive step towards increasing employment in our northern Indigenous communities and sustainably producing new critical minerals like copper in our province.”
The McIlvenna Bay carbon neutral copper project is said to be the largest undeveloped volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposit along the prolific Flin Flon Greenstone Belt.
According to the feasibility study, the mine is expected to produce an average of 65 million pounds of copper equivalent annually.
Located entirely within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, the McIlvenna Bay project is expected to have a mine life of 18 years.
