Feb 18 2013
BELO SUN MINING CORP. confirms that the environmental licensing process for the company's Volta Grande Project (the "Project") continues in the ordinary course. To correct recent media reports, Belo Sun confirms that its licensing application has not been rejected.
Belo Sun has applied for the "preliminary licence" for the Project, which would attest to the feasibility of the Project from an environmental perspective. The Environmental Secretary Office of the State of Pará is the regulatory authority responsible for evaluating and determining the appropriateness of the preliminary licence. As part of the standard application process, on January 10, 2013, the Environmental Secretary Office held a second public hearing. Like the first public hearing, the January 10 hearing was very well attended with Belo Sun management, Brazilian federal, state and local government officials, residents from the local communities and representatives of non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders all given the opportunity to address the forum. At present, this second public hearing is the final scheduled public hearing at this stage of the licensing process.
The preliminary licensing process has been conducted in accordance with legislated practice in Brazil and all applicable laws and guidelines. Pursuant to the ordinary process, Belo Sun understands that the technical aspects of the licence application are currently the subject of review by the Environmental Secretary Office. At this point, Belo Sun has not received any comments or recommended changes from the technical team of the Environmental Secretary Office.
Mark Eaton, Belo Sun's president and chief executive officer, commented on the licence application process as follows: "The Para State Environmental Secretary Office has conducted our licence application process in a professional, open and insightful manner that is consistent with best practices and the applicable laws of Brazil. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate Belo Sun's commitment to promote human rights through indigenous consultation and cooperative development, and our overriding dedication to transparent and accountable operations. We will provide public updates of all material developments regarding the Volta Grande project."
Source: http://www.belosun.com/