Centaurus Metals, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), has secured an essential installation licence for its 100% owned Jaguar Nickel Sulphide Project, located in northern Brazil’s Pará State.
The licence has been granted by Pará’s state environmental agency, Semas. This licence authorises the company to initiate construction activities for the Jaguar nickel project under its existing project blueprint.
The authorisation includes building a nickel concentration plant along with associated infrastructure such as pits, dams, and waste management facilities.
The installation licence is valid through March 2029 and encompasses permissions critical for project development, such as the clearance of vegetation and management of water resources.
It also allows for the handling of wildlife during construction phases. With this licence, Centaurus Metals can proceed with construction once it has secured necessary funding, and its board has made a final investment decision (FID).
Centaurus Metals managing director Darren Gordon said: “The grant of the installation licence puts us firmly on the path to make a Final Investment Decision later in the year, once a suitable financing package is secured, and enables the Company to start construction of one of the world’s most significant new nickel sulphide mines.
“Jaguar is a significant project for the region and for local communities, and will generate significant economic, social and community benefits over a long period of time. We are looking forward to working with all key stakeholders over the coming months to bring this fantastic project to fruition.”
In February 2024, the powerline segment of the project received a combined preliminary licence and installation licence. This dual approval permits the construction of the powerline following the completion of engineering work, arrangement of funding, and finalisation of land access agreements.
To expedite landowner negotiations over the powerline route, Centaurus Metals has acquired several mining easements from Brazil’s National Mining Agency (ANM). These easements cover land required for building and operating both the powerline and connecting roads.
The mining lease application had previously been technically approved by ANM, contingent on securing the installation licence. Now that this licence has been issued, the company plans to submit it to ANM to facilitate the formal issuance of the mining lease.
The company expects that the lease will be formally granted within a few months.
