Adyton Resources Corp. has received an environmental permit for its Wapolu Gold Project in Milne Bay Province, clearing a major regulatory hurdle as the company works towards restarting mining operations later this year.
The Papua New Guinea Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) granted Environment Permit EP-L2(1080), confirming that the project's environmental management plans comply with national regulatory requirements. The approval supports the company's plan to redevelop the historic gold mine in partnership with local communities and stakeholders.
Adyton Chief Executive Officer Tim Crossley described the approval as a significant milestone that reduces project risk and advances the redevelopment of Wapolu.
"The grant of the Wapolu Environment Permit is a significant de-risking milestone and reflects the considerable work undertaken by our team, government agencies, local landowners and communities to responsibly advance the project," Crossley said.
He said the company remains committed to redeveloping the mine in a manner that delivers long-term value while continuing to work with the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), CEPA and host communities to secure the remaining approvals required before mining can resume.
The remaining key regulatory requirements include the grant of a Mining Lease and a Lease for Mining Purposes, both administered by the MRA.
Project Director Louis Wang of EVIH welcomed the approval, saying it marked another important step towards recommencing operations.
The company said the environmental permit follows the MRA's approval in June of a variation to Exploration Licence 2549, allowing the extraction and processing of an approximately 20,000-tonne bulk sample. Together, the approvals keep the project on track for the planned restart of mining and processing operations, with a targeted throughput of 300,000 tonnes of run-of-mine ore per year from the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Wapolu Gold Project, together with the neighbouring Gameta licence area on Fergusson Island, represents two of Adyton's most advanced development assets in Papua New Guinea.
According to the company, the Fergusson Island projects host an indicated mineral resource of five million tonnes grading 1.28 grams of gold per tonne, containing an estimated 206,000 ounces of gold, and an inferred resource of 23.2 million tonnes at 0.99 grams per tonne for 733,000 ounces of contained gold.
Adyton is also advancing its Feni Island gold-copper project in New Ireland Province as part of its broader exploration and development portfolio in Papua New Guinea.
