South32 Hermosa Project confirmed as FAST-41 process

South32 has advised that its 100% owned Hermosa project located in Arizona, United States, has been confirmed by the US Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, an independent federal agency, as the first mining project added to the FAST-41 process.

To qualify for the FAST-41 process, critical infrastructure projects must meet rigorous criteria to demonstrate benefit to the nation.

The Hermosa project is currently the only advanced project in the United States that could supply two federally designated critical minerals, zinc and manganese.

Including the Hermosa project on the FAST-41 dashboard is expected to create a more efficient and transparent process, supporting the attainment of federal permits required for the later years of our proposed development of the Taylor and Clark deposits at Hermosa.

We now expect to complete the feasibility study for our Taylor zinc-lead-silver deposit in the second half of CY23, as we undertake additional engineering studies to align the mine development schedule for a federal permitting process under FAST-41 and incorporate current market cost estimates.

Separately, the current phase of study work for its Clark battery-grade manganese deposit has confirmed its potential to supply battery-grade material to the rapidly forming North American electric vehicle supply chain.

Study work will now progress to a definition phase pre-feasibility study, including the provision of sample qualification product to potential customers with pilot plant production having commenced in recent weeks.

South32 Chief Executive Officer Graham Kerr said: “The inclusion of Hermosa as the first mining project added to the FAST-41 process is an important milestone that recognises the project’s potential to strengthen the domestic supply of critical minerals in the US.

“Hermosa presents a significant opportunity to sustainably produce commodities critical to a low-carbon future.”