Australian-based and African-focused miner Atlantic Lithium, which has been targeting the delivery of Ghana’s first lithium mine, has received the asset’s mine operating permit.
Company officials said the Minerals Commission of Ghana issued the permit for the flagship Ewoyaa lithium project; the MOP is the final regulatory approval required in order to commence construction.
The project is comprised of the Ewoyaa lithium mine and processing plant. The company called the turn an important milestone towards reaching a final investment decision as it awaits the ratification of the Ewoyaa mining lease by the Ghana parliament.
As the parliament resumes sitting on 15 October, it is anticipating an update soon.
“Representing the final regulatory approval required by the Company before we can commence construction, the issuance of the mine operating permit, marks a critical milestone in the permitting process for the Ewoyaa lithium project,” said Neil Herbert, executive chairman of Atlantic Lithium.
“With our sights set on achieving first production of lithium in Ghana, we now eagerly await parliamentary ratification of the Ewoyaa mining lease. We hope that ratification can occur in the coming sitting…which would set us on the path towards construction and operation of this globally significant lithium project.”
Ewoyaa’s definitive feasibility study indicated the production of 3.6 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate over a 12-year mine life, making it one of the largest spodumene concentrate mines in the world. The project, which was awarded a mining lease in October 2023, is being developed under an earn-in agreement with Piedmont Lithium.
Source: Atlantic Lithium