The facility was designed to accommodate future tailings deposition capacity requirements at the company’s MWS tailings recovery project in South Africa.
NWDACE’s decision to withdraw the EA was unexpected, as the company had secured the withdrawals of two of three previously filed third-party appeals in December 2009. First Uranium had been advised that the third appeal will also be withdrawn.
The company said that MWS received a positive record of decision (RoD) from NWDACE in July 2009 to construct the TSF. After the RoD was received, three appeals were then lodged by interested third parties with the offices of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for the Northwest Province.
In reaction to the appeals, the MEC subsequently advised MWS that the RoD was being suspended pending the outcome of the appeal process governed by the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
In October 2009, NWDACE notified MWS that they intended to withdraw the RoD. MWS submitted its response on November 5, 2009 to NWDACE, recommending a retrospective authorization process under NEMA to address NWDACE’s issues.
Gordon Miller, president and CEO of First Uranium, said: “The company is currently seeking clarification from NWDACE’s regarding their apparent decision, before undertaking any action. We will keep shareholders informed as more information becomes available.”
