BBX Minerals commences environmental studies for Três Estados project

BBX Minerals (ASX: BBX) has commissioned Brazilian company Brandt Meio Ambiente Ltda to commence environmental studies for the Três Estados gold and platinum group metals project in the state of Amazonas.

Brandt will be responsible for completing an environmental impact study and environmental impact report for the flagship project.

The work is mandatory for all activities which may cause considerable environmental impacts.

Brandt will address the project’s potential physical, social and community impacts and outline proposed mitigating measures.

The study is expected to be completed within 12 months, after which time it will be filed with state environmental authority IPAAM.

Environmental process

BBX chief executive officer André Douchane said he was pleased to have Brandt on board to commence the environmental process.

“The permitting process for Três Estados may take several years so starting the study now and alongside other development activities is important,” he said.

“BBX has a long-term presence in the Apuí region and we have good relationships with local stakeholders including suppliers and government agencies… confident these relationships will assist in achieving our key environmental approvals in a timely manner.”

Brandt has extensive experience in completing environmental impact studies and reports for companies operating in Brazil.

Mr Douchane said the company was considered the most suitable candidate given the scope of its proposal, the calibre of its technical team, recently-completed works and its presence in the Amazon region.

Apuí focus

BBX’s exploration is focused on the Apuí region in the southern Amazon, which has potential for the discovery of world-class gold, platinum group metals and base metal deposits.

The company’s key assets are the Três Estados and Ema (gold) deposits which are located on cleared farmland.

In December, BBX announced it had partnered with US-based EcoBiome Metals to develop an innovative bioleaching process which will utilise natural microbial techniques to sustainably extract minerals from these deposits.

The work is being carried out at EcoBiome’s pilot plant in Texas, which has been designed to simulate a potential production circuit.

BBX plans to eventually build its own pilot plant near its existing laboratory in the Brazilian city of Catalão.

In March, BBX secured up to $9 million in funding through a staged private placement to further the bioleaching process.