Magnis Resources Granted Special Mining License for Nachu Graphite Project in Tanzania

Magnis Resources (ASX:MNS) has been granted a Special Mining Licence SML 550/2015 for the Nachu Graphite Project in Tanzania on September 7th, by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of Tanzania. A Special Mining Licence is superior to a Mining Licence (ML) as it encompasses projects with an investment over US$100 million.
As quoted in the press release:

The granting of the SML is the key approval for the project and allows the Company to move forward with finalising funding arrangements for the further development of the project. The
SML has been granted to Uranex Tanzania Ltd, the 100% owned Tanzanian subsidiary of Magnis.
To receive the grant of the SML, the Company’s application was initially assessed by the MEM and then recommended to the Mining Advisory Board (MAB) for its endorsement.
Chairman Frank Poullas commented: “Today is a landmark day for Magnis, receiving a SML for the Nachu Graphite Project and is a significant step towards our goal of production. Today’s
announcement also allows the Company to finalise project funding.”
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Minister of Energy and Minerals, the Hon. George Simbachawene, and the officers of the MEM for their support of the project. We would
also like to thank the MAB for their approval of the SML and our team in Tanzania for their tireless efforts in achieving this milestone.”
“We look forward to concluding our Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Ministry in the near future as the MDA has been taken to the advanced final stages of negotiations.”
A SML is a superior licence to a Mining Licence (ML) as it encompasses projects with an investment over US$100 million. The Company applied for the SML in preference to a standard ML for the following reasons:
1. A SML allows for a larger area to be approved than a ML. A ML is restricted to an area of 10 km2. Magnis has been granted an area of approximately 30km2.
2. A SML grants tenure for the period of the development or for a maximum period of 25 years. A ML only allows for a 10 year period.
3. A SML is supplemented with a MDA. The MDA is negotiated with the Government and can encompass Government participation, fiscal stability for the life of the project, dispute resolution mechanisms, environmental conditions etc. While a MDA is viewed as an important component of the development, the Company is in final stages of the advanced discussions with the Ministry. The MDA is not a requirement before the commencement of mining activities.

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