- 01- EA cleared for Seymour lithium project.
- 02- MNR issues forest-removal permit.
- 03- Category B: low-med impacts.
- 04- Closure plan under review.
Green Technology Metals (ASX: GT1) has completed the required Environmental Assessment (EA) process for its Seymour lithium project in north-western Ontario, clearing a major step in the project’s development permitting pathway.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has issued a Statement of Completion covering the permit to remove forest resources from the applied project area, allowing relevant government agencies to progress permits for Seymour.
The EA process followed MNR’s classification of Seymour as a Category B project, indicating potential low-to-medium environmental impacts or public concern.
Completion of the EA enables the permitting strategy to advance while Green Technology Metals continues engagement with Indigenous partners and other stakeholders over the project’s development, operation, rehabilitation and eventual closure.
Green Technology Metals will now continue consultation and preparation for the remaining approvals, including a mine closure plan that forms an important part of the next stage of the permitting process.
Permitting Step Cleared
Green Technology Metals initially submitted its Seymour project description in November 2022 before MNR assigned the Category B classification in September 2023 under its guidelines for project category designation.
The company considers that classification consistent with Seymour’s proposed processing flowsheet, which uses no chemicals and relies on sorting, washing, and gravity-based separation to produce a spodumene concentrate.
“The receipt of the EA is another milestone completion on our pathway to permitting the Seymour mine and highlights the ongoing work progressed by our team throughout the lithium market downturn and continuing into this next cycle for the commodity we’re currently in,” chief executive officer Cameron Henry said.
Mr Henry thanked the MNR, local interest groups, and other ministerial departments in Ontario for their “ongoing support and collaborative dialogue throughout the process, which has also highlighted that the Seymour project is an important part of the development sphere within the province.”.
Closure Plan to Follow
Green Technology Metals is currently progressing environmental reviews and consultation around Seymour’s proposed mine closure plan, including amendments covering a reduced footprint, water storage containment, and a hybrid open pit and underground development strategy.
The closure plan has already undergone about 12 months of review, with the latest amended draft now being considered by relevant groups as the company works through any additional issues raised during consultation.
Once filed alongside the completed EA, the plan is expected to support the issue of remaining approvals covering timber removal, air and sewage environmental compliance, water infrastructure, water extraction and other operational requirements.
Part of Green Technology Metals’ wholly owned Ontario lithium portfolio, the company is seeking to advance Seymour through the remaining approval stages while retaining the lower-impact development approach underpinning its permitting strategy.
Permit applications are being prepared for submission to the relevant Ontario ministerial departments as they are completed, with Green Technology Metals continuing discussions with the MNR, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
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