ESG

Berkeley reiterates local support

Berkeley Energia (AU:BKY) has hit back at news that it is facing opposition to its planned Salamanca uranium mine in Spain.

Staff reporter
Berkeley says the Salamanca mine will provide employment to the area

Berkeley says the Salamanca mine will provide employment to the area

Villavieja de Yeltes mayor Jorge Rodríguez has called on people to join a demonstration against the project this Saturday, with concern over the project's proximity to the town.
 
However, Berkeley reiterated to Mining Journal that it has a good relationship with the municipalities, as stated in its recent quarterly report.
 
It said it is developing the project to the highest health, safety and environmental standards and any "claims of studies suggesting there is any kind of environmental concern have been comprehensively rejected by both the courts and the government agencies".
 
Berkeley managing director Paul Atherley said the company has openly addressed any legitimate concerns of opposition groups and stakeholders, with strong support from locals, the government and the broader community expected to prevail. 
 
"We are extremely encouraged by the support we have experienced in the region: from the government, as evidenced by the more than 110 permits and favourable reports; the press, who recently said we would end unemployment in the region; and local residents, around 25% of which have applied for jobs with us," he said.
 
The Salamanca project will add 450 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs to the region, which has one of the highest levels of unemployment in Europe.
 
"The residents of Villavieja are overwhelmingly in favour of the mine. The population has fallen 75% to around 400 residents, of which 110 have applied for jobs with Berkeley. The company is already training and employing many of them and by next year expects to have 80 of them in full time employment," it said.
 
The company has also signed cooperation agreements with municipalities, under which it will provide Wi-Fi, build playgrounds and repair sewage work. 
 
Berkeley signed a US$120 million funding package with the Sultanate of Oman in August to take Salamanca to first production, with early site work underway.
 
The project is expected to produce an average 4.4 million pounds of uranium a year over 10 years at a cash cost of $13.30 per pound.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.