Namibia Rare Earths Begins Environmental Impact Study for Lofdal

Namibia Rare Earths (TSX:NRE) commenced an environmental impact study for its Lofdal Rare Earths project. The company selected SLR Environmental Consulting (Namibia) as the lead consulting group for completion of the assessment, expected by Q3 of 2016.
As quoted in the press release:

Following the release of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on November 14, 2014 the Company has focused its operations in Namibia on baseline environmental monitoring in support of the planned Environmental Impact Assessment, continuing metallurgical studies to improve concentrate grades and recoveries, and modest geological field programs to support future drilling to increase mineral resources. From a corporate perspective, the Company continues to evaluate qualified technical or financial partners to advance development of Lofdal through to feasibility and mine development. Management and the Board are cognizant of difficult market conditions and have undertaken steps to minimize administrative costs and overhead to ensure funding to support the approved project activities over the next 12-24 months.
The Company has selected SLR Environmental Consulting (Namibia) (Pty) Limited (“SLR Namibia”) as the lead consulting group for completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) by the third quarter 2016. The EIA will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in support of an application to the Ministry of Mines and Energy for a Mining Licence in 2016. SLR is an international environmental consultancy with an expanding network of offices in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and Africa with 1,100 employees. SLR Namibia has been associated with significant mine development projects in Namibia including Swakop Uranium (Husab uranium mine), Paladin Energy (Langer Heinrich uranium mine) and B2 Gold (Otjikoto gold mine).
Initial baseline environmental reports have already been completed for archaeological, invertebrate, vertebrate and vegetation studies by independent Namibian experts. Baseline monitoring equipment and programs for the collection of all required meteorological and radiometric data have been implemented (Figure 1). A groundwater monitoring program has also been initiated comprising regular sampling of existing farm wells and from planned monitoring holes which will be completed by the end of the July. The EIA will utilize and update these reports and will include a radiological impact assessment to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and to develop an appropriate Environmental Management Plan (“EMP”) for the proposed mine development at Lofdal.

Click here to read the full press release.