Zeb Nickel has secured integrated environmental authorisation for its Zeb Nickel project in the Bushveld complex in South Africa.

The approval from the South African Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) is pivotal for the company's progress towards obtaining a mining right.

Zeb Nickel plans to extract minerals at the project for 30 years from the issuance date.

The latest authorisation allows the company to proceed with the listed activities in the approved environmental impact assessment (EIA).

Zeb Nickel aims to enhance the nickel grade and project economics through further drilling, particularly in Zone 1 and Zone 2, where higher nickel grades and additional copper and platinum-group mineralisation have been identified.

Zeb Nickel chief executive officer and director Anthony James Nieuwenhuys stated: “Zeb Nickel has engaged in extensive consultations with local communities, stakeholders and environmental experts throughout the application process.

“Zeb Nickel acknowledges the support and co-operation of the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), local communities and environmental organisations that contributed to achieving this authorisation.

“We look forward to continuing our work in the project area and ensuring that the Zeb Nickel project is developed in an environmentally responsible manner.”

The project comprises an historically indicated resource of 485.4 million tonnes averaging 0.245% Ni. It has an additional inferred resource of 1,115.1 million tonnes at 0.248% Ni.

It also contains an historical NI 43-101 compliant resource of more than 3.9 million tonnes of contained sulphide nickel.