Canadian resource company Millennial Potash Corp has initiated the environmental- and social-impact assessment (ESIA) for its Banio potash project, in Gabon.

In a media release, the company says it has engaged a consortium led by Artelia, Société par Actions Simplifée and including Biotope Afrique Centrale and Insuco Gabon to complete the assessment.

The company says the group has extensive experience with large-scale projects globally and throughout Africa and the ESIA will be compliant with International Finance Corporation performance standards.

"We are very pleased to have initiated our ESIA study as we progress with our potash development project in Gabon. We look forward to working with the Artelia group and completing a comprehensive ESIA for the project,” says Millennial chairperson Farhad Abasov.

He says the initiation of the ESIA marks another step in the development of the Banio potash project after the very successful Stage 2 drill programme that resulted in a significant increase of the company’s measured, indicated and inferred resource.

He notes that the ESIA will be incorporated into the company’s mining licence application, which it plans to pursue in 2026.

“We are also planning to initiate a definitive feasibility study in the coming weeks. The company is fully funded to carry out these programmes. The US International Development Finance Corporation funding will also be applied to cover our feasibility study costs,” says Abarov.

Millennial says the comprehensive ESIA for the project will begin shortly with physical environment baseline studies, including hydrology, hydrogeology, water quality, soils and air quality followed by biodiversity baseline studies which will include an extensive coverage of flora and fauna in the region.

Baseline studies for the social component of the study will include a review of the socioeconomic conditions in the project area and will expand on the stakeholder engagement work that has been initiated by the company.

Millennial notes that the final ESIA will outline any mitigation measures for the project and will include comprehensive environmental and social management plans.

The ESIA is expected to be completed in 2026 and will be presented to the government of Gabon as part of the company's application for a mining licence.