Edited By Dominic Mercer
www.mining-journal.com

Toledo Mining Corp plc has received an environmental compliance certificate for the first stage of its proposed Berong lateritic nickel project in the Philippines (MJ, May 20, 2005, p9).

The certificate allows the extraction and shipment of about 1 Mt/y of saprolite and/or limonite ore. Toledo still awaits a mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) and tree-clearing and foreshore lease permits before it can proceed.

The company had previously planned to begin shipments from the project during the March 2006 quarter, but a trial shipment is now expected to be completed early in the September quarter, provided the outstanding approvals are received. George Butjor, chief executive of Toledo, foresees commercial production at Berong before the end of this year.