The project consists of more than 14,000 acres of patented claims within the Shining Tree area of the Abitibi greenstone belt.

Company expects a delay of up to four months before it can start mining an extension at its Constancia mine.

The drilling has traced mineralization over an area of 100 metres by 200 metres, which remains open.

The permit supports the application for a trial mining license, which will allow for the processing of 100,000 tonnes of mineralized material per year.

And 2020 copper production forecasts have been trimmed by nearly 400,000 tonnes due to covid-19 disruptions and delays.

Authorities suspended Vale’s operating license after agents said that the company’s onsite activities have “not respected the rules of social isolation.”