Bezant Resources has secured an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for the Hope & Gorob Project in Namibia.
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism confirmed the approval of ECC No: 240130002744 under Section 32 of the 2007 Environmental Management Act on its official website.
The ECC is a crucial step that enables the issuance of the mining licence, previously approved by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Bezant Executive Chairman Colin Bird said the company will now proceed with customary project management and ownership conditions as it moves towards securing financing and beginning mine construction.
“This approval marks a significant milestone in the development of the Hope & Gorob Project. We are committed to advancing the project and will provide further updates as we progress towards development,” said Bird.
This comes after Bezant announced on 16 October 2024 that it had received a notification of preparedness to grant a Mining Licence (No. 246) from the Mining Commissioner of the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Subsequently, on 15 November 2024, the company submitted a written acceptance of the terms and conditions attached to the licence, as per Section 48(4) of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act of 1992.
The Ministry acknowledged the acceptance on 25 October 2024, confirming the company’s agreement to the conditional 15-year mining licence.
The approval of the ECC follows the government’s assessment of the Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) and the Environmental Management Plan.
These measures ensure that the project adheres to stringent environmental protection standards.
“The approval of the ECC validates our approach to responsible mining. We remain focused on meeting all regulatory requirements and ensuring environmental compliance throughout the project’s lifecycle,” Bird stated.
The Hope & Gorob Project is set to move forward with development, pending the final issuance of the mining licence.
Bezant highlighted that it continues to engage with stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition from approval to implementation.
