South Harz Potash Ltd (ASX:SHP) has made a step forward in the approval process for its flagship Ohmgebirge Potash Development in Germany, with the spatial planning application documentation now available to the public.
Release of the application documentation allows for the next phase of public consultation — an important step in the advancement of the Ohmgebirge approval process.
The spatial planning procedure is a fundamental approval process for infrastructure and industrial projects in Germany that occupy more than 10 hectares of surface area. It involves assessing the impact of a project on the landscape, environment, economy and broader social aspects.
This process is designed to ensure the balancing of interests between the project proponent and all local stakeholders.
The application documentation — prepared in conjunction with experienced environmental and permitting consultant ERM — includes an explanatory report, an environmental impact study, a preliminary species protection assessment and a spatial impact assessment document.
Application documentation is based on a brownfield development of Ohmgebirge which includes using neighbouring Bernterode shaft infrastructure owned by NDH-E/DEUSA International GmbH.
Last September the company held a successful initial consultation meeting for South Harz’s Ohmgebirge Spatial Planning impact assessment, where no significant concerns or objections to the proposed development of Ohmgebirge were raised.
A view to project development
On receipt of the spatial planning approval and completion of the Ohmgebirge Environmental Impact Assessment — both expected in the first half of 2024 — South Harz is set to proceed with the submission of a general operating permit for build approval.
The overall permitting process for Ohmgebirge is being led by highly experienced South Harz regional director Dr Babette Winter.
Winter said: "We have received a great deal of encouragement for our project so far. With the release of the application documentation all interested parties can learn more about our plans for Ohmgebirge and we are actively supporting the public consultation process by making the documents available in our Eichsfeld office.
“Our aim is to bring all stakeholders on the journey with us as we grow a responsible potash business in the heart of Europe while reinvigorating a multi-generational mining community.”
South Harz managing director and CEO Luis da Silva said: "The timely public release of our application documentation highlights the significant momentum that exists for our Ohmgebirge project.
“We are grateful for the speed in which the responsible regulatory authority, Thüringer Landesverwaltungsamt, has advanced the process, particularly considering the recent holiday season.
“We have hit the ground running in 2024 and are concurrently advancing permitting while we near completion of the Ohmgebirge PFS.”