Environmental scoping study completed at Ark Mines’ Sandy Mitchell project

An initial environmental scoping study (ESS) has been completed Ark Mines’ (ASX:ARK) Sandy Mitchell rare earths and heavy minerals project in Queensland.

Terra Solutions completed the study in partnership with Northern Environmental Testing and Compliance (NETC).

The surveys collected samples from ground and surface water and a suitability assessment was completed to assess the native flora and fauna habitats with respect to threatened species.

NETC also carried out an initial study of the aquatic ecosystems to set the baseline survey requirements for water testing. Work is continuing to collect a 12-month sample of data.

Results will provide Ark guidance on the required aquatic and terrestrial ecological assessments as well as the development of monitoring solutions and environmental management plans.

Ark will use the data to develop its on-site monitoring solutions and environmental management plans. Both are central to the mine development approval process.

Executive director Ben Emery said the completion of the study is a significant milestone for the company.

“The completion of this environmental scoping study is an important milestone, and we’re very pleased with the work carried out to date,” he said.

“The commissioning of the study was done in line with the company’s near-term strategy to expedite the development of this project by completing the full baseline environmental survey and accelerating the approval process.”

Completion of the ESS marks the next phase of development at Sandy Mitchell and follows the completion of the recent phase one drilling program.