Toro Energy Limited (ASX:TOE) to Lodge Final Environmental Review and Management Program on Proposed Wiluna Uranium Mine Next Month

Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) - The final Environmental Review and Management Program for the Wiluna Uranium Project is expected to be lodged next month by Toro Energy Limited (ASX:TOE). The ERMP outlines the Company's plans to develop a uranium mine from late next year at Wiluna in Western Australia, and includes environmental management strategies and responses to public submissions.

Toro Chairman, Ms Erica Smyth, told the Company's Annual General Meeting in Adelaide today that some 48 submissions had been received from the public and Government to the Wiluna environmental assessment documents released for public review on 25 July this year.

Toro is carefully reviewing all of the public submissions that were made during the 14-week consultation period which closed on 31 October. 'Our Wiluna team is now working on the responses submitted by the public and any additional information required for Toro's final Environmental Management Review Programme submission,' Ms Smyth said.

'We anticipate being in a position to lodge this response during December.

'Subject to WA and Federal Government processes, Toro Energy anticipates final government approval decisions on the proposed Wiluna uranium mine, around mid-2012.'

Toro has set an objective of first Wiluna uranium oxide production by late in 2013.

The ERMP documentation, including all public comment and Toro's subsequent response, will be used by the Federal and Western Australian Governments to make final decisions about a go-ahead for the 100%-owned Toro project.

The December submission from Toro will be lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia which will assess and make recommendations to government under its charter to lead the government assessment of the project via bilateral agreement between the Western Australian and Federal Governments.

Toro's Managing Director, Mr Greg Hall, said today the Company had been highly transparent on how it saw Wiluna evolving as a pioneering, modern day, well managed, world's best practice uranium mine.

'We actively encouraged public participation in the ERMP exposure period including hosting public information days in the four WA regional centres of Wiluna, Leonora, Menzies and Kalgoorlie,' Mr Hall said. 'We are carefully reviewing all comments provided by the public to ensure that the project can be developed in a sustainable way.'

He said that subject to satisfactory progress of the ERMP / EIS process, Toro hoped to be in a position by third quarter next year to take the Wiluna project to its Board for final investment decision ahead of a planned start to mine construction late in 2012 and commissioning in late 2013.

About Toro Energy Limited:

Toro Energy Limited (ASX:TOE) is a modern Australian uranium company with progressive project development, acquisition and growth. The Company is based in Adelaide, South Australia with a project office in Perth, Western Australia.

Toro's flagship and wholly-owned Wiluna uranium project (includes existing mining lease) is 30 kilometres southeast of Wiluna in Central Western Australia.

Wiluna contains two shallow calcrete deposits, Lake Way and Centipede, with prefeasibility and optimisation studies completed and a definitive feasibility study underway. Toro has commenced the Approvals process targeting the Company's first uranium production by late 2013.

Toro has three other exploration and development projects in Western Australia, and owns uranium assets in the Northern Territory, South Australia and in Namibia, Africa.

Source:

Toro Energy Limited

Contact:

Greg Hall 
Toro Energy Limited
Tel:  61-8-8132-5600
Email: info@toroenergy.com.au
http://www.toroenergy.com.au