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- Ionic Rare Earths (IXR) receives strong government and local stakeholder support for its Makuutu rare earths project in Uganda
- The company says roughly 3800 people attended two public hearings for the development of the project, indicating “keen interest” in the project by the Ugandan community
- Attendees included representatives from the Ugandan National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD)
- Ionic is now moving forward with its Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the project and says it expects to begin phase five drilling in the area during the December quarter
- Shares in Ionic are up 6.38 per cent and trading at 5 cents at midday AEST
Ionic Rare Earths (IXR) has received strong government and local stakeholder support for its Makuutu rare earths project in Uganda.
The company conducted two public hearings for the development of the project in early August, and Ionic said around 3800 people attended all-up, indicating a “keen interest” in the project by the Ugandan community.
The project is operated by Uganda-based Rwenzori Rare Metals (RRM), of which Ionic owns 51 per cent. However, Ionic is looking to bolster its interest in RRM to 60 per cent after completing a feasibility study for the Makuutu project, currently slated for the end of October.
Ionic said among those showing support for the project at the hearings were representativesfrom the Ugandan National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), as well as local communities.
The company said following the support shown at the hearings, NEMA and MEMD were now working to complete the final statutory requirements to evaluate the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the project, initially submitted in December 2021.
Meanwhile, Ionic reported that its Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) had progressed, with final studies due for completion by the end of October.
The RAP will present the company’s strategy to acquire land for the entire Makuutu licence over the life of the project while ensuring that project-affected persons (PAPs) were not financially or socially disadvantaged.
Once the ESIA has been approved, the project will enter a due diligence process of
confirming the areas mapped and entering into various memorandums of understanding with PAPs to support land access.
Additionally, Ionic has completed geological mapping of its two exploration licences in the Kapyanga sub-county of the Bugiri district, and in both Bulamagi and Nakigo sub-counties of the Iganga district.
Currently, all Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) have been finalised for approval for the company to commence phase five drilling programs, which are expected to be submitted soon.
The company expects to commence its drill program in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Shares in Ionic were up 6.38 per cent and trading at 5 cents at midday AEST.
