The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has deemed Aquila Reosurces’ wetland/steam/floodplain permit application for the Back Forty project administratively complete and the regulatory technical review process can now move to the next stage. This is the fourth and final permit required to build and operate the Back Forty project, a planned open-pit, zinc-gold mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The MDEQ issued its public notice, along with an announcement of a January 23, 2018 public hearing as requested by Aquila. The MDEQ review process, along with the public hearing provides the community with opportunities to comment on the permit application. In addition, the MDEQ will gather input from various regulatory agencies, including from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A final permit decision is expected from the MDEQ in the first half of 2018.

Aquila Resources is a development-stage company with strategic assets in the Great Lakes Region of North America. The company’s experienced management team is currently focused on advancing permitting activities for its 100%-owned gold- and zinc-rich Back Forty project in Michigan.

Aquila’s flagship Back Forty is an open pit volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit with underground potential located along the mineral-rich Penokean Volcanic Belt in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The project contains approximately 1,000 Mlb of zinc and 1 Moz of gold in the M&I categories, with additional upside potential. Currently Aquila is trying to secure the final State permit required to build and operate Back Forty while completing a feasibility study.