Australian-based mining company Aura Energy Limited has announced that it has obtained the final crucial permit from the Mauritanian government, paving the way for the construction and operation of the Tiris uranium project in the West African nation.
Regulatory Authorization for Uranium Development
The National Authority for Radiation Protection, Safety and Nuclear Security (ARSN) issued the authorization to develop, mine, and produce uranium oxide concentrate on July 12th.
Aura Energy stated that the receipt of this permit marks “a pivotal step towards achieving a Final Investment Decision (FID) by Q1 2025.”
Unlimited Production Potential and Export Approvals
The company added that approvals for uranium export will be granted through a routine monitoring program, aligned with international safeguards for tracking radioactive materials.
Aura Energy emphasized that there are no restrictions on future uranium production volumes, allowing for operational flexibility and the potential for future expansion of the annual production rate beyond 2 million pounds U3O8 (769 tU).
Production rates are currently under review following the substantial 55% increase in mineral resources to 91.3 million pounds U3O8 reported in mid-June.
International Transportation Partnership Secured
Aura Energy has partnered with “a prominent international company specializing in the transportation of radioactive materials” to handle the future seaborne transport of uranium oxide concentrate produced at Tiris to international converters.
Governmental Support and Inter-Ministerial Committee
Furthermore, the Mauritanian government, under the direction of Prime Minister Mohamed Ould Bilal, has established an inter-ministerial committee to facilitate and champion the development of the Tiris project and the uranium mining industry in Mauritania.
The committee, led by ARSN, will serve as a central point of contact for all ministries, streamlining the rapid development of the future Tiris uranium mine.
Positive Government Collaboration and Project Advancement
“We are immensely pleased with the exceptionally high levels of support and confidence demonstrated by the Mauritanian Government towards Aura and the development of a long-term, globally significant uranium mining industry in Mauritania, commencing with Tiris,” remarked Aura Managing Director and CEO, Andrew Grove.
“The final approval and formation of the inter-ministerial committee are crucial milestones as we rapidly advance towards FID and the development of a uranium mine at Tiris in the near future.”
Tiris: A Pioneering Uranium Discovery in the Sahara
Situated in the Sahara Desert in northeastern Mauritania, Tiris was initially discovered by Aura Energy in 2008. It represents the first major calcrete uranium discovery in the region.
The mineralization is primarily located within 3 to 5 meters of the surface and will be extracted using conventional open-pit mining methods.
Promising Economic Potential and Expansion Opportunities
A Front-End Engineering and Design study released in February of this year highlighted Tiris as a near-term, low-cost uranium mine with the capacity to produce 2 million pounds U3O8 per year.
With a 17-year mine life and excellent economic prospects, the project also offers the potential for expansion to accommodate future resource growth.