Vancouver, British Columbia-based Sierra Iron Ore Corporation announced Monday that it has received all of the preliminary local, state, and federal permits required to initiate production on the El Creston property. These permits include the Environmental Impact Statement from the Environmental Protection Authorities (SERMANAT) and the Change of Land Use permit.
The Environmental Impact Statement and the Change of Land Use approval come after an extensive environmental study of the land on which the mine is located, as well as the surrounding community, and were the final requirements necessary to initiate operations. The Company expects to receive the final approval for the permits within the next 60 days.
The permits will allow for construction and production on the Company's plan for an exploration/development field work program on the El Creston iron ore property. The program will include a preliminary pilot testing plant operation for the purpose of testing zones at the property.
The Company engaged Environmental Consulting Vugalit SC, a consulting and advisory company in Mexico that specializes in guiding mining companies through the permit process in Mexico.
"The preliminary approval of the permits is an important milestone for the company's near-term plan to be in production on the El Creston property," stated Wally Boguski, President and CEO. "We continue to responsibly source, negotiate and secure the purchase of the remaining equipment needed to advance the company to the planned development work program. We look forward to providing the market with further updates as we expect to begin the development program in the second half of 2013."