GOVT REINSTATES URANIUM MINING LICENCE

By BUUMBA CHIMBULUINISTRY of Mines has reinstated the licence for GoviEx, a Canadian mineral resource company, to mine uranium in Chirundu. The reinstatement of the licence is however subject to completion of certain exploration and development milestones to advance the license towards final feasibility study. The company has therefore indicated its plans to reinvigorate the development of the Mutanga Project in Chirundu, starting with targeted resource exploration drilling later this year. Commenting on the reinstatement, GoviEx Executive Chairman, Govind Friedland, said the Zambian Government had indicated its strategy to diversify its mining industry from the heavy weighting of base metals and advancing its long-term desire to include uranium and clean baseload nuclear power as part of its economic development plans. Mr Friedland indicated that as the uranium market improved, the company planned to reinvigorate the development of the Mutanga Project starting with targeted resource exploration drilling later this year “We are very pleased and warmly welcome the decision made by the Mining Cadastre concerning the reinstatement of the Chirundu mining license and believe this decision was well considered and in the best interests of all stakeholders both in Zambia and abroad. “We look forward to advancing and deepening our long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with the Republic of Zambia,” he said in a statement. The Chirundu Mining License was acquired from African Energy Resources Limited in October 2017 and includes the Njame and Gwabe mineral deposits. Mr Friedland said: “since acquiring the Chirundu Mining License, GoviEx has ensured all statutory reports and payments have been made, and in addition has expanded its Community and Social Responsibility programs to cover the villages within the Chirundu Mining License, including the reconstruction of a school and the commencement of an adult education programme.”