Meridian Mining SE has been granted a Guia de Utilização permit No. GU nº 19/2018 by the National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM), valid until 19th of May 2020.The GU allows for the extraction of 6,000 t/y of Mn oxide concentrate from the exploration licence that covers the Califórnia/Eduardo Mendes/Calça Frouxa prospects. These prospects have been partially mined for colluvial material in the past. Via the GU, the remaining colluvial and vein material may now be extracted.

The prospective areas for colluvial and saprolite vein Mn oxide mineralisation are also centred on the existing pre-screening facility at the Califórnia prospect. To further reduce cost, a second pre-screening plant will be mobilised to the Eduardo Mendes area.

Gilbert Clark, Interim CEO & President, states, “The Espigão team has achieved a great result in opening up another key area for extraction. Located in the northeast of the Espigão Project, the Califórnia material once extracted will be first pre-screened on site. This results in a ~75% reduction in the volume of material to be trucked to the plants and then processed; for the same volume of concentrate.  The company is now moving towards 100% pre-screening of all manganese material mined.”

Meridian is focused on the acquisition, exploration, development and mining activities in Brazil.  It is currently focused on exploring and developing the Espigão manganese and gold projects, the Bom Futuro tin JV area, and adjacent areas in the state of Rondônia. Meridian is currently producing high grade manganese at its project located at Espigão do Oeste.