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(Alliance News) - Alba Mineral Resources PLC on Monday said it is in the process of compiling responses to queries relating to biosecurity in an operational update on its Clogau-St David and Dolgellau gold exploration projects in north Wales.
The northern Europe-focused mineral explorer said it received comments from Natural Resources Wales covering a "relatively narrow set of points", which related to the company's applications for water transfer and discharge permits and a European protected species licence.
This included noise mitigation measures, biosecurity and the duration of the proposed exclusion measures for bats.
Alba said it is in the process of compiling responses to these European Protected Species licence queries, including generating some further limited baseline data, with the aim of reverting to NRW with full responses within the next two weeks or so.
Once it has confirmed that it has no outstanding queries, it hopes that NRW will proceed to granting the permits so that its dewatering activities may proceed.
Until then, Alba said it had advised other significant ground-based activities in or adjacent to the Clogau-St David's mine will "likely be deferred". As soon as the relevant permitting has been secured, it intends to push forward with its permitting and technical activities in relation to the waste tip.
This includes completion of the Habitat Regulations Assessment, which is also being carried out by NRW.
Shares in Alba were down 13% to 0.11 pence each in London on Monday after midday.
By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter
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