Richmond Vanadium Technology Ltd (ASX:RVT) has appointed specialist environmental consultant Epic Environmental to lead development of its environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Richmond Vanadium Project.
Epic Environmental will also assist with associated environmental approvals for the North Queensland-based project as part of its scope of works.
Thorough understanding of project
The consultancy, which is based in Brisbane and led by Dr Mark Breitfuss, has been working with RVT for more than three years and has a thorough understanding of the project and local environs.
The scope also includes delivery of an environmental authority and progressive rehabilitation and closure plan to support a future mining lease grant for the project.
Epic will undertake the scope of works while the company puts together its bankable feasibility study (BFS) for the Richmond Vanadium Project and will work closely with RVT’s recently appointed BFS project director Peter Hedley.
RVT is targeting completion of the EIS by the last quarter of the year.
Accelerated development
“The appointment of Epic Environmental is another important step for RVT as we accelerate development activities for the Richmond Vanadium Project,” Richmond Vanadium managing director Dr Shaun Ren said.
“Epic Environmental has a strong reputation in the Queensland mining industry including extensive experience in the emerging Australian vanadium sector.
“We are confident that Epic will provide a great outcome delivering the EIS and associated approvals for our Richmond Vanadium Project.
“Conducting the EIS and securing the associated approvals in parallel with the bankable feasibility study positions RVT to rapidly develop our globally important vanadium project with demand for the commodity set to grow in the coming years.”
About the project
The 1.8 billion tonnes Richmond Vanadium Project has a completed pre-feasibility study which demonstrated a technically viable and financially attractive development project.
RVT is now completing a bankable feasibility study and is progressing approvals for the project between the towns of Julia Creek and Richmond.
Richmond Vanadium Project is 500 kilometres west of Townsville and 400 kilometres east of Mt Isa along the Flinders Highway and Great Northern railway linked to Townsville Port and close to existing infrastructure including gas pipeline and HV network line.
The Queensland Government declared the Richmond Vanadium Project to be a Coordinated Project in May 2022, making it the first critical minerals project to be awarded this status.