Richmond Vanadium Technology Ltd (ASX:RVT) has passed a key milestone in the approvals process for the flagship Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium Project in northwest Queensland by submitting a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Submission of the draft EIS to the Office of the Coordinator-General in Queensland marks the start of the
assessment process to support a future Mining Lease grant for the project.
The project’s environmental impacts have been assessed by a team of specialist consultants, led by Epic Environmental which has a strong reputation in the Queensland mining industry including extensive experience in the emerging Australian vanadium sector.
“Significant body of work”
“The submission of our draft Environmental Impact Statement is the culmination of a significant body of work and our lead consultant Epic Environmental has done an excellent job managing a multi-discipline team over the last 18 months," RVT managing director Jon Price said.
"We now look forward to moving through the approvals process with the Coordinator-General’s Office and advancing the project’s Mining Lease application in 2025.”
The Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium Project has been declared a Coordinated Project by the Queensland Government.
What comes next?
Under the approvals process, the Office of the Coordinator-General and relevant referral agencies will assess the adequacy of the EIS in responding to the government-prescribed Terms of Reference.
If the EIS is deemed to satisfy the Terms of Reference, it will be placed on public display for a period of not less than 28 days. The company anticipates the display period will begin by early 2025.
During this display period, the public and Queensland Government agencies along with Commonwealth agencies will be provided with an opportunity to submit comments on the EIS.
RVT will then respond to the submissions and that response will be lodged for final approval.
Anticipated timeframes indicate that determination of the EIS by June 2025 is achievable subject to all items having been addressed.