South32’s critical minerals project in Arizona has been added to a US legislative dashboard designed to fast-track approval processes.
South32’s critical minerals project in Arizona has been added to a US legislative dashboard designed to fast-track approval processes.
The Perth-based mining company, which operates the Worsley Alumina project in the South West, received approval to join the US Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council’s Fast-41 process.
The Fast-41 process aims to fast-track approvals for significant infrastructure projects with national benefits that are being reviewed by federal agencies.
South32 said its Hermosa critical minerals development in Arizona was currently the only advanced project in the US that could supply critical minerals zinc and manganese.
The Hermosa project comprises of the zinc and silver Taylor deposit, as well as the zinc and manganese Clark deposit.
The project is expected to inform South32’s strategy of reshaping its portfolio to produce metals relevant to low-carbon operations, such as for electric vehicles manufacturing.
The miner said its inclusion in the Fast-41 process was expected to create more efficient and transparent avenues for attaining federal permits for future proposed developments of the Taylor and Clark deposits at Hermosa.
South32 said it expects to complete a feasibility study for the Taylor deposit in the second half of 2023.
It also said its Clark battery-grade manganese deposit has the potential to supply materials to the North American electric vehicle supply chain.
The miner is planning to progress with a pre-feasibility study, including the provision of sample qualification product to potential customers with pilot plant product underway.
“The inclusion of Hermosa as the first mining project added to the Fast-41 process is an important milestone that recognises the project’s potential to strengthen the domestic supply of critical minerals in the US,” chief executive Graham Kerr said.
“Hermosa presents a significant opportunity to sustainably produce commodities critical to a low-carbon future.”
On the ASX, South32 shares were down 0.60 per cent to $4.18 at 1.42PM AEST.
