Back in January, GMIN announced that Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted an Interim Environmental Permit (IEP) paving the way for early construction. The EPA’s approval follows GMIN’s submissions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Oko West Gold Project.
According to GMIN the IEP, which is valid for one year, along with the “No Objection” letter from the Guyana Forestry Commission, allows them to initiate early construction activities sooner than expected in Q1 of 2025.
The company noted that these activities include the construction of a barge landing facility, main access and internal roads, airstrip, permanent camp facility, water and sewage treatment plants and power generation and communication tower. GMIN said, “The early works construction programme is now officially underway, as a part of the total $200–240 million Oko West capex guidance for 2025. Site preparation activities are in progress for the barge landing on the Cuyuni River and the permanent camp area, which are key initial infrastructures to support future development.”