St George Mining Limited has formally kicked off the environmental permitting process for its 100%-owned Araxá Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, by submitting key impact assessments to state regulators.

The company lodged the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Report with the State Environmental Foundation of Minas Gerais. This lodgement initiates the multi-stage licensing process required to secure a Preliminary Licence for a greenfields development, which covers a proposed open-pit mine alongside a new industrial complex comprising mineral processing, refining and metallurgical plants, waste and tailings facilities, and supporting infrastructure.

The permitting application builds on an updated Mineral Resource Estimate released in August 2026, which increased total tonnage by 57% to 111.2 million tonnes grading 3.57% total rare earth oxides and 0.57% niobium pentoxide. That revised estimate compares with the October 2025 resource model of 40.6 million tonnes at 4.13% total rare earth oxides.

Environmental licensing in Minas Gerais follows a three-stage framework. St George expects the Preliminary Licence and subsequent Installation Licence stages to be completed within 12 months.

To support the transition toward development, the company appointed Worley Engenharia Ltda in May 2026 as technical adviser to lead feasibility study work. Additionally, St George acquired a 166-hectare strategic land parcel in February 2026 located less than two kilometres from the main mining tenure, zoned for mining and industrial use to accommodate future operational facilities.

“We have established world-class scale and grade at the Araxá Project and are now delighted to announce the formal commencement of the licensing process for a potential mining operation.”

— John Prineas, Executive Chairman

Subject to conditions and a final investment decision, St George estimates that construction of the project will occur in the second half of 2029.

Read the full announcement: St George Kicks Off Permitting for Araxa