British exploration and development company Ariana Resources has secured a renewal of its operational licence at the Salinbas gold project located in the Hot Gold Corridor in Turkey.
The project comprises the Salinbas gold-silver deposit and the Ardala copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry.
Ariana has a 100% interest in the Salinbas project through its shareholding in Greater Pontides Exploration.
The licence renewal has been granted by the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG) for five years.
Ardala, Salinbas and Hizarliyayla are the three licenses that form the Salinbas project. They are now secured as operational licences, with an option to get permission for further renewals.
Ariana noted that the Ardala operating permit increased in area substantially, covering the extents of the Salinbas, Salinbas North and Ardala mineralisation.
Ariana Resources managing director Dr Kerim Sener said: “The Ardala licence contains a large part of the existing Salinbas gold-silver JORC Resource and the entirety of the Resource established for the Ardala copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry.
“We are also particularly pleased that MAPEG has accepted our application for a significant increase in area of our operating permit, which now provides us with the right to undertake mining activities across the entire mineralised area within the licence.
“As a result of these recent positive project developments for the project, the company is committing to the immediate commencement of an environmental baseline study and associated scoping work required in advance of an Environmental Impact Assessment.”
The company will undertake dedicated resource drilling activities of Salinbas gold project from the second quarter of next year. Environmental baseline and scoping studies are currently underway at the project site.
In May, Ariana secured a ten-year licence renewal for the Salinbas project.
