Member Info for scotalba

I think its Important just to add, Alba have been very careful not to give any timelines on the expected progress and results of these permit applications . All they have said is "NRW has also advised that its standard turnaround times do not apply to the Company's applications due to the volume of information, the complexity of the applications and the requirement for an HRA. "
These timelines, 14 weeks and four months ect, have been out on this message board by me, not Alba. my information I believe is correct and from a trusted source.

It is complicated, but this European Species License is in fact really a new application, I won't bore you with details but as this application requires a Habitat Regulations Assessment ( the previous one did not) determination will take considerably longer than NRW standard standard 40 working day service level agreement. Robbie may be correct in that some of the data from the previous application can be used, but this new application is far more involved, that is why it calls for a Habitat Regulations Assessment. This European Protected Species License is far more wide reaching than the previous one, and when Alba have it, it really will open doors for further works, plans and permits, the last one was very much just focused on the making the cave safe for what was to come, now we are going for the "what was to come" lets hope it dose not take the four months, but at least we have a timeline.

Correct Noobz,
from one I did earlier "So from what I understand the very worst case scenario for a decision of the water permit would be the 14 weeks + the four months, taken form the 1st November 2022, that would take us into the middle of May 2023 if I have done my sums correctly."

@Noobz
to clarify from what I know is the "delay" that i have mentioned is concerned only with the time to get the application "duly made" 14 weeeks.
The up to 4 months "after duly made" that is pretty standard for our type of Application. Alba application is complicated because of the Species License.
The time for the determination of the species license will take considerable time and will be determined in parallel with other permits required to operate on site.

Not that I am counting down the days but today marks 64 working days since Alba's permit application was submitted to NRW.
For newcomers "Duly made" is the next big news for de watering.
I was told on good authority because of a "delay" it would be a 14 week time frame for the water permit application to be "duly made" and the then the information appears on the public database.
So now we are just about 13 "working day weeks" since the submission on 31 October 2022.
Last time Alba applied for the permit it took 50 working days ( 10 weeks) from application submission to duly made.
Lets be expecting Alba's application to be duly made soon...then the true countdown to de watering can begin...exciting time ahead for Alba's Gold project.

@ lloydstelini..Thank you lloyd..Factual information from primary sources is always very welcome on here.

I had information today from my imaginary friends that the species licence will be determined in parallel with other permits required to operate on site. NRW still working hard on our application it seems. This backs up some previous information I had from a different source that we can expect NRW to issue their decisions on the permits (including the European Protected Species License) at the same time.

My feelings, from what I know, is the people at NRW are doing the work as fast as they can. I have not detected any lack of effort for the Alba application, only positive feedback.
The process is just complicated and takes time.
Also I think Robbie summed things up nicely earlier with...
"The fact we are having to jump through hoops & provide so much data is to reassure & prove everything will done with respect to Mother Nature & and an area of ONB so it’s a YES it’s allowed/desired BUT here are the conditions you must abide by & meet in order to proceed"
Just a little more patience needed, Alba are in a great place as far as Gold exploration is concerned, the best place they have ever been in.

The dewatering application and European species license application are taking longer to process than NRW would like because:
The Water Quality Permitting team are experiencing a high volume of applications, a current backlog of work and reduced staffing they are working through Alba's application as quickly as possible and they thank us for our patience.
The Species Permitting Team explains that as the European Species License application is complex as it requires a Habitat Regulations Assessment, a determination will take considerably longer than their standard service level agreement.
Because of these reasons they can not give exact timelines.
I don't see the problem with anything, NRW have no agenda against Alba. The delays in the water permit applications effect everyone who is applying, and the Species license application is complex and is what it is.

No surprises in the RNS concerning the dewatering application. For the final decision on the permit , I won't be concerned if we don't get it the back until the end of May, I would consider anything earlier a bonous. As long as it gets Duley made and its on the public database in the next month or so I will be happy.

I have no doubt as far as the share price, this year will be a dramatic "moving year" in a positive direction for Alba.
I don't know exactly how many "working days" (someone might care to work that out) its been since our permit/species applications went in at the end of October, but I know the processing is well underway now. I have had contact with both permitting departments very recently and although they are not giving anything away in terms of timelines, they are processing as quickly as possible for Alba.
A couple of points to remember: even if Alba had received the Permits at the end of last year they still would not be working on de watering the shaft as previous it was agreed ""Works will not be permitted to take place within the known bat-inhabited areas of the mine between November – March (inclusive), eliminating potential effects to hibernating bats" no reason to think this will change.
The other thing to keep in mind is when we get the Permits. George has already stated "when the permits are issued, it is expected that the dewatering of the Llechfraith Shaft will take around two weeks, after which Alba’s technical team will be able to access the lower levels and assess the exposed lode" So when the permits drop, more news will follow quickly.
I think the next big thing to be watching for is when the water permits application are "Duly Made assessed" and then the information will appear on the public data base. I was given a 14 week timeline for that to happen.
The species license application, I have been told we may not here if that is successful until the final Water permit decision is made , but I think we would be sure to hear if it was not successful as without it Alba can not get the Water permit. So no news on that species license is good news right now. No public records are required on the species application, so its between NRW and Alba how that pans out and when Alba and we are told.
All in all a lot to be excited about right now.

Just wondering, maybe now Alba have applied for the permits it could mean the outcome of the applications could be classified as significant news that would move the share price (either way) and so preventing any director buys at this time until the decision is made. So maybe George F could not buy any more shares even if he wanted to right now. I am not concerned at the lack of news right now, its not been long since the end of year review that went into things in good detail, sure news will come when there is some to announce.

I agree Robbie "the reason so much emphasis is put on the dewatering is it shows if we have a good working relationship with NRW " the fact is that NRW are fully behind Alba..but it will take getting the permits to convince the market and remove the uncertainty that the market hates.

Well, I must be a liar or I must be "special" ..take your pick. I see this year the message board will be all fun and games again !!!

Cheers Robbie-
My last contact with NRW permit team, was 23rd December 2022, just to be precise.

Happy new year to all. Well not all, but most on this message board.
The NRW permitting team have told me "they are working through this as quickly as possible and we thank you for your patience" ....." this" being Alba's Water permit application. They also told me that the delay with processing the permits is due to the permitting team experiencing a high volume of applications, a current backlog of work, and reduced staffing.
They are working on our permit as quickly as they can, so they are doing there best for Alba, that is what they say, and I believe them. Frustrating yes, but nothing sinister going on, NRW are behind Alba, just doing their job. I am absolutely expecting a great year for Alba.

Great RNS.
With what is happening in China right now and the fact that they basically dominate the worlds graphite supply can only mean that GreenRoc will become even a more amazing asset as time goes by, and the market wakes up to what Greenroc Offers.
As for Gold, I do firmly believe NRW Wales fully supports Alba. NWR have there own issues with delays in processing applications, that are quite severe, they have nothing against Alba and comments to suggest otherwise are unfounded.
Happy Christmas to all good investors, and yes lets hope next year will be a good one for all invested in Alba.

For what its worth.I managed to get an update today on the question of how long it would take for a decision on Alba European protected Species License. Remember we need this before the water permit is issued.
I have been told by NRW that the species licence application is still being assessed. As this licence requires a Habitat Regulations Assessment,it will will take considerably longer than the standard 40 working days. This license was applied for at the end of October so I guess it could be done in January although the word "considerably" was not what i wanted to hear. The sooner the better of course. To clarify this is only the European Species license I am talking about.

@Herbert
No more news from me right now, I have stopped pushing for anymore de watering info, just waiting now with everyone else.

Agree Ocelot-Robbie,
Just got to wait it out. I was wanting NRW to tell me, as it was a re- submission and due to the circumstances of its last refusal, it would be processed alot quicker than the standard new applications. However they have not told me that. If it is the case that it will fast tracked they may well not share that information with me anyway. So lets hope they are keeping things close to their chests and Alba application won't take as long as others.