Avenira Ltd., an Australian battery cathode and fertilizer project developer, reported that it has secured authorization from the Northern Territory (NT) government for initial mining activities at its 100% owned Wonarah Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) phosphate project.
The authorization allows for the start of mining activities for an initial 40,000 mt of ore, covering the test pit and early stages of the DSO project, according to the South Perth-based company’s Oct. 24 ASX statement.
Under Avenira’s mining plan approved by the NT government, the initial test pit is targeting 5,000 mt of marketable DSO material, with the approved early-stage activities targeting a further estimated 35,000 mt of ore.
The authorization also allows for surface grade control drilling to support detailed mine planning for the remaining DSO operations, as well as conditional approval for the remainder of the DSO project.
“We are delighted the Northern Territory Government has approved our mining management plan,” said Avenira Chairman and CEO Brett Clark. “This is a crucial step in delivering our mining project, which will provide feedstock for our proposed LFP cathode production plant.”
Located south of Darwin, the DSO project plans to extract and sell high-grade ore from the site’s mine, with the project designed as a simple open cut, low capital operation with a goal to supply the region with a steady source for LFP battery cathodes precursor.
“Completing this project will see Darwin become a key supplier of critical materials to the global battery market,” Clark said.