Two key departments, the Main State Enterprise (Glavgosexpertiza, which covering open pit operations) and the State Ecological Expertise (Rosprirodnadzor, which covers environmental management and monitoring) granted approvals for the overall design documentation covering construction of an open pit mine at Project F.

The Australian Securities Exchange-listed junior said the project documentation met the environmental requirements under Russian legislation, and these approvals were valid for 18 years.

These latest approvals mean the company is on track start mine development this year, subject to securing suitable project finance.

“Receipt of these key approvals, along with the granting of the Mining Licence, mean the most critical permitting milestones for the development of Project F are now granted,” Tigers Realm said.

The remaining permits required to upgrade roads and commence full-scale development are due for completion by the end of the year.

Tigers Realm CEO Craig Parry said the two “critical” approvals from the project’s regulatory bodies were an essential milestone for the future success of Project F.

“Now we have obtained formal approvals of our project documents, it allows us to make formal notifications prior to the commencement of mining, including confirming the mining allotment and first-year mining plans,” Parry said.