The Board of Australian Ionic Rare Earths Limited announces that the company has received advice from the Ugandan Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) that the Large-Scale Mining License TN03834 for the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earth Project has been approved.
Makuutu is the most advanced Ionic Adsorption Clay (IAC) project in development with product not committed to China and able to provide rare earths to new supply chains looking to decouple from existing sources, according to Ionic.
This approval comes after the recent show of support for the project from The Hon Dr Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Ugandan government Minister for Energy and Mineral Development.
Ionic Rare Earths Managing Director Tim Harrison said the notice received on the approval to grant the mining licence by the DGSM was an important milestone for the Project.
“We are pleased with the announcement today that the DGSM has officially approved for granting the Large Scale Mining License TN03834 over RL 1693, which now completes all regulatory approvals on the award of the Mining Licence for the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earth Project. This is a vital step for Ionic Rare Earths and Rwenzori, and in mining, refining, and recycling heavy rare earths critical for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defence.”