By: African mining market

Pasofino Gold is preparing an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to relaunch its US$435 million Dugbe gold project in Liberia. The Canadian junior mining company confirmed this detailing progress on the feasibility study for the future mine.

According to Pasofino’s statement, the company plans to complete a thorough review of the ESIA and resettlement action plan during the feasibility update to ensure the project aligns with the environmental and social criteria required to secure financing.

The 2022 Dugbe feasibility study outlined a mine producing an average of 172,000 ounces of gold annually over a 14-year period. Financial challenges at Pasofino and its major shareholder, Hummingbird Resources, have stalled the project since then. Pasofino now intends to revitalise the project by updating the study and completing the ESIA.

An ESIA identifies a mining project’s environmental and social impacts proactively. Its findings help develop mitigation measures, securing an environmental permit. This permit represents a crucial step before the construction phase begins.

Pasofino has not yet disclosed a timeline for the ESIA’s completion. The company launched the update last June and expects it to take 12 months. Pasofino plans to use these study results to decide on proceeding with the project and making necessary investments.