Member Info for scotalba

Great RNS. Alba not hanging around, some bad weather to contend with his year , so well done getting down to level 4.

A lovely early Christmas present for all us Alba supporters who have stuck with Alba. I believe it was In January 2021 Alba submitted an application to Natural Resources Wales (“NRW”) for a permit to dewater the flooded Llechfraith Shaft and discharge the treated water into the neighboring river. Its been a very, very long time coming, Alba now are now in a very strong position going into 2024, lets hope its a good year for us all, we deserve it. Well done George F and team for sticking with it, and it the quick decision shows NRW are onside, and they will do better for Alba in the future, so thanks to NRW also for trying to put things right quickly after they messed up. (I am sure NRW will be pleased that I am no longer on their case!!)

I appreciate every ones( well not everyone's ) comments on here, Happy Christmas to all, and as George F once wished us shareholders "a prosperous new year"

I was just checking my facts on the dates of the last issued water permits. NRW like to issue them at the same time together. Remember we need two permits abstraction and discharge. The discharge public consultation ended on the 6th December so we can assume this is all done and waiting to be signed off. The abstraction as we all know, the consultation ended yesterday.

The time line for the last issue of permits was as follows.

The last Public consultation ended on Wednesday 28th June

Permit determined by NRW and issued to ALBA on Friday 30 June

RNS released by Alba on Tuesday 4th July

That is what we have to go on.

Regardless on my thoughts about a quick permit decision remember George himself said in the operational update on the 6th December "Decisions on dewatering permits for the Lower Llechfraith workings hoped for before the end of the year"

This was directly after talking to NRW after they messed up the public consultation period.

Well the public consultation page has been removed from the website, so at least NRW are on it. I am expecting fast action from NRW.

Just to add NRW response to the comments was as follows.

Summary of actions taken or show how this has been covered

The nature of the discharge is defined by application and supporting documentation. Determination has been based on the details supplied in the application and supporting documents.

The determination of the application has followed due process, completing all required assessments and consultations, seeking expert advice where required as detailed in this decision document.

The application has undergone test through the Habitats Regulations and WFD as detailed in this document, to ensure no adverse effect on the receiving environment.

@GoldnOilDigger your welcome.

Here are the comments from Alba's PREVIOUS PUBLIC CONSULTATION for the water permits. this was the last application that was successful. I have to make it clear these are from the previous consultation, NOT the one we are waiting on.

Response received from

External member of the public

Brief summary of issues raised

I would like to complain that it is not robust enough and seems almost similar in every way to their first refused application.

1. It seems not only do they want to dewater but also release effluent from - boiler, wash and cooler backflow all of which don't seem to be addressed in the treatment.

2. They do not specify these amounts nor what they are. They offer no testing from such sources and am I to believe by the wording 'wash' they might mean from processing of their wash plant?

3. Although what seems to be basic testing this does not seem to account for the fact the mine water is generally unsafe and nearer the bottom sludges of hazourdous chemistry form. In fact on most pictures an iron acidic copper laced solution seems to be present as orange scum. Surely these waters are not wholly as benign as their tests say and there may be points where some hazourdous limits are breached.

4. A simple flocculent sediment tank dosent seem to cover the risks or even seem suitable for cleaning dissolved chemicals from the water. Why isn't there a secondary filtration system to ensure no foul discharge released.

5. All of the minerals at Clogau will lodge in the immediate stream causing buildup. It's one thing to have safe levels but still the chance of contaminants high especially with no secondary filtration system as a guarantee.

6. An award of licence would naturally see mining commence at some point, to award this would also be to resist any attempt at mining since naturally this will be their next intention and fuelled by getting a dewatering licence.

7. Although costly the option to put in a kilometre of pipe to the nearest local sewers seems a more plausible and safer option.

A final point would be that these mines were always wholly unproductive. The history of closure shortly after any historic venture and the lack of gold found by any recent small operation. Realistically this company has little chance of success, the mines peer reviewed as fully exhausted. The sum total gold as quoted circa 40,000 ounces mined here sounds large but is actually terribly small when you factor in the manpower and hours to produce that, hence the swift closure of any mine. Am I led to believe you support the reopening of this mine if you grant such a reward? Surely NRW should make a forward thinking statement as to their views on mining in the Dolgellau area so others may know limitations should more ventures decide to exploit the mineral reserves in the wider area and discharge their mine water to nearby rivers after a brief period in a small flotation tank.

So tomorrow is the day the public consultation period ends for what I shall call the the second water permit application, the one NRW messed up by not advertising it correctly on the website. I thought it wise just to remind NRW that this date was fast approaching, as they can be forgetful. So I was in touch with the NRW Water Resources Permitting Officer on our case yesterday. I pointed out to him again that NRW are responsible for having to make Alba apply for variations in the permits as they were overly cautious about the volumes of water needed for extraction, and also they messed up with the public consultation listing causing even more delay. I told them because of this, they should be doing all they can to be making a quick decision for Alba. I think it was positive conversation? mail exchange I had with them. My gut feeling is that they want to atone for the mistakes, that they know they made and they will get this done for Alba ASAP.

They are "endeavoring" to get this done as quickly as possible. Assuming nothing comes up with the public comments that need addressing( can not see any problems) I suggested a decision before Christmas would be very agreeable, and if not before the year end.I calculated it took 4 working days from end of public consultation to permit issue last time. So lets see what NRW can do for Alba now. I am very optimistic of a quick outcome.

The statutory determination dates for NRW to make a decision on the applications are 20/01/2024 (discharge permit variation, reference PAN-022870) and 12/02/2024 (abstraction licence variation, reference PAN-023065)

If anyone is interested to look at the comments raised from the LAST water permit public consultation period, I can post then on here.

@SizeOfAcorns I would think so, but honestly I can say that the higher rate will be given, no doubt about that.

My feeling is that both permits will be released together as I think was originally intended, that would be inline with the RNS on the 6th December that stated " it has had to extend the end date of its public consultation to 20 December 2023, but that it hopes to be able to make a decision on both the abstraction and discharge permit applications shortly thereafter. The Company will provide a further update as and when it is notified of a formal decision."

@Robbie, no insights on the waste tip permit apart from the known fact that they are waiting for the water ones to get finished first before submitting any others. I assume they are sticking by that.

Just a quick clarification regarding Alba permits as of today for any newcomers and for any of us old boys like myself who might need it. I have just finished a couple of days of communication with NRW on Alba's permits. Alba need two permits to continue the dewatering.

Alba have currently just two permit applications being worked on for the Clogau site. one is for discharge and the other for Abstraction.

One permit under the Water Quality Permitting Team and One by the Water Resources Permitting Team.

(Water Quality Permitting Team) PAN-022870 is the application to vary the Water discharge activity permit and the external consultation period has now closed (closed on 6th December 2023). Currently assessing the application in line with any comments received and a decision will be published on the public register in due course.

(Water Resources Permitting Team) Water Resources variation application PAN-023065 requires an extension of the advertising period. Advertising period closes 20/12/2023.

These teams have different team leaders, the Water Quality Permitting Team has just got a new team leader.

I have been in contact with both team leaders and they are both very amiable, I have asked them some difficult questions mostly not answered but they know how most of us are feeling about this situation.

Maybe I was being dense, but I was searching for the permit now up for public consultation on the NRW site and could not find it just by searching GMOW or the PAN-023065 number, so I asked them if everything was OK and if it was on the site I was told everything was in order and was sent this (see below) I found it.

Home > Permits and permissions > Permit applications, consultations and decisions > Current consultations - Applications to abstract or impound water > Applications to vary or revoke existing licences to abstract or impound water: Natural Resources Wales / GMOW (Operations) Limited- Vary a transfer licence to abstract.

@SizeOfAcorns Sorry this is a late reply. I could not answer sooner, and I would hate not to answer your question. You asked was the ill fated public consultancy document actually on the public domain AFTER 8th November. Yes it was, so NRW did get it online, but it was put up later than it should have been, so its had to get its extension to 20 December 2023, instead of being done by the 6th December 2023.

In the great scheme of things NRW incompetence with the dewatering permit application advertising, dose not really matter, its positive that we should get the go ahead before Christmas, when after all they have untill 20 Jan 2024 to meet the target on this application. Its funny, I have an e mail dated the 8th November 2023 when I asked NRW why Alba's application had reappeared on the NRW site after it had been removed and what were the implications of that. I did not get a reply to this e mail . Its all positive going forward..no more curve balls please NRW>

@SizeOfAcorns

correct public consultation ending on the 6th December ,news anytime from then

Since Alba wanted to get down and dewater the shaft, I would say its been 30 about months of delays, setbacks and frustration with Alba not to blame. Alba have been steadfast in their belief that when they get the bulk sampling done from level four they will confirm their belief that evidence a substantial gold deposit will be discovered. The science says it should be the case. Alba believe it will be the case. I think we now have reason to be excited now that the de watering will soon start. This will be followed by safety works in level four, drilling a couple of 10 meter tunnels below level four, and bulk sampling. Then results time. Its been along time coming but to allow ourselves some optimism, and dare say excitement at this time I think is reasonable and acceptable. I won't speculate on share price, but I know things can change very quickly with positive news and good publicity. It might take until the gold is found to make a big move especially with the market the way it is, but it seems a last light can be seen at the end of the tunnel. As always do you own research, I have done plenty, and like what I have found, others opinions may differ, I am confident that 2024 will be a very good year. Just talking about the gold, Greenroc is another huge plus going forward.

Yes I hope so. With the last application there were a indeed few challenges and they still managed to get it done in a few days. I have to say the previous challenges were pretty lame anyway, so can not see any problems on that front.

I was in contact with NRW today, as expected they were not giving anything away regarding when a decision will be made on the permit application. They said the official statutory determination date for Alba's application is 20 January 2024 but they will endeavor to make a decision in advance of that date.

Sorry need to revise that. Consultation ends on the 5th December, so going on last time we can expect news on Fri 8th or Monday 11th December.

@Robbie No inside info on the dewatering decision dates but with the public consultation ending on the 6th December we can make an educated guess. The last dewatering decision was made 4 working days after the public consultation ended. This decision should be even more straight forward unless something out of blue turns up, no earthly reason to think anything will derail the granting of this permit. We are looking at December the 11th or 12th going on the 4 working days, any sooner a bonus, any later NRW will be in the dog house again.