EMED Mining has obtained heritage clearance from the Department of Culture and Heritage of the Junta de Andalucía, Spain, for its Rio Tinto Copper Mine.

The Department of Culture and Heritage is one of the four principal regulatory authorities with responsibility for the Rio Tinto Copper Mine.

The company is awaiting responses from three other departments to restart mining operations at the mine.

The approval was given subject to certain conditions that are largely aimed at ensuring that the extensive heritage at Rio Tinto is clearly documented and then preserved or studied appropriately, as mining, processing and rehabilitation are carried out responsibly.

The mine covers an area of about 13.2sq km and includes a large open pit, processing plant, tailings storage facilities, administrative offices and other infrastructure.