Cadence Minerals plc has been granted a preliminary environmental licence (licença prévia) for the whole development of the Amapá iron ore mine, in northeast Brazil.
INSTALLATION
The LP covers open-pit mining, mineral processing, waste rock handling and tailings storage infrastructure.
The company said that the LP also confirmed the environmental feasibility, location and design of the mine at its full planned capacity of 5.5 million tonnes per annum of DR (direct reduction)-grade iron ore concentrate.
“Importantly, the LP validates the complete mine plan and provides the regulatory foundation to advance the Azteca processing plant as the first step toward production,” added chief Kiran Morzaria.
“With this key de-risking milestone achieved, our focus now turns to securing the installation licence and progressing refurbishment activities in line with our staged development strategy.”
The installation licence (licença de instalação – LI) authorises construction, refurbishment and installation of mine infrastructure, including processing facilities and tailings structures.
Cadence has already submitted archaeological studies and is progressing engineering works.
The company also needs authorisation for water abstraction and effluent discharge.
Cadence continues to progress licensing for the railway and port at Amapá, although initial ore production is expected to be transported by road and shipped through an existing public port facility.
The company has been gradually increasing its interest in Amapá and, as of 30 June 2025, held a 35.7% stake for a total investment of approximately US$15.5 million.