TriStar requests prior license for US$261mn Brazil gold project

US-based TriStar Gold said it filed a request to obtain the prior license for its US$261mn Castelo de Sonhos gold project in the Brazilian state of Pará.

The prior license represents the first of a three-stage environmental licensing process required for mining projects in Brazil. 

After the prior license, comes the installation license, which allows for the processing plant and other infrastructure to be built, and finally the operations license.

The prior license is generally considered the most critical stage as it involves input and approval from several government agencies as well as local stakeholders, communities and details the environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits of the project, the company said in a statement.

Over the coming months, TriStar will work with the state’s environment department (SEMAS) to engage key stakeholders about the project and the findings of the environmental impact assessment, and prepare detailed information in advance of a public hearing, “which we anticipate holding by Q2 of 2023 depending on the decision of SEMAS.”

The prefeasibility study released last year increased the project’s estimated capex to US$261mn from US$184mn. The company attributed the increase to the expansion of plant capacity, the inclusion of an owner-operated mining fleet, and rising costs. 

The study outlined average production of 121,000oz/y over 11 years.