Bethania mine site. (Image courtesy of Kuya Silver).
The Regional Government of Huancavelica in central Peru approved Kuya Silver’s Semi Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment for a processing plant to be installed at the Bethania project.
This is the first-ever on-site processing plant in Bethania, a silver mine that has been in operation for over 40 years but which was placed on care and maintenance in 2016. The EIA approval covers a plant design for 350 tonne-per-day crushing, grinding and flotation circuits, as well as a tailings storage facility and ancillary infrastructure.
Located at the heart of the silver-zinc-lead belt in Central Peru, Bethania produces a high-grade sulphide ore from several veins in a structurally controlled swarm
“The approval of the EIA for the Bethania project is a major accomplishment by our Peruvian team and partners, and for Kuya,” David Stein, founder and president of Kuya, said in a media statement. “In addition, I would like to acknowledge the support of the Poroche community, which has been important in achieving this milestone. Not only is the permit a critical step in restarting production from the Bethania project, but our team and stakeholders can take pride in our design for a modern, environmentally conscientious operation, particularly in terms of water usage, surface disturbance and overall efficiency.”
S&L Andes Export SAC, the company that owns the project and Kuya’s local joint venture entity, was in charge of dealing with the EIA.
At present, Kuya is bound by a purchase agreement to acquire an 80% interest in S&L Andes. This purchase is expected to take place once fellow Canadian miner Miramont Resources (CSE: MONT) completes a proposed acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Kuya in exchange for shares of the company.
According to Miramont, the resulting entity will be in a position to purchase the remaining 80% interest in S&L Andes.
Located at the heart of the silver-zinc-lead belt in Central Peru, Bethania produces a high-grade sulphide ore from several veins in a structurally controlled swarm. Although 60% of the value is contained in silver, the veins also host recoverable lead, zinc, copper and gold.
