A spokesperson for the Department of Planning and Environment said the Department will still consider all prior submissions received when the proposal was exhibited from mid-July and August this year and are now accepting new submissions on the amended proposal. The proposal is back on exhibition until Friday 18 December 2015. “The Department is giving the local community another opportunity to share their views.” “Community consultation is an integral part of the planning process. The company altered its application based on feedback received from the original exhibition.” “It’s easy to participate by going online and we encourage everyone to take a look and have their say.” 

A major stumbling block for the project has also been overturned with the announcement of an agreement between Unity Mining and Westlime PL in Parkes NSW to process the ore. 

Westlime is a 100% owned Australian business which focusses on the production of high quality fine lime, agricultural lime, dolomite, construction materials and roadbase from its facilities.

Unity and Westlime have agreed to allow for Unity to process up to 50,000 tonnes of gold / silver concentrate on an annual basis, for a minimum period of 5 years (and able to be extended) commencing in Q3 2016. Unity has paid $200,000 to have the exclusive option to process concentrate and will be required to pay to Westlime an additional $150,000 upon receipt by Unity of all final approvals at the Dargues Project (expected Q1 2016), and an annual site rental cost. 

On Monday  it was announced that PYBAR Group an associate of Minerals Pty Ltd(“Diversified Minerals”), will acquire Unity Mining for total consideration to Unity shareholders of 2.9 cents per share.

Diversified Minerals is currently the largest holder of Unity shares (13.69%) and Diversified Minerals has offered to acquire all of the Unity shares on issue not already owned by Diversified Minerals under the Transaction. Total consideration to be received by Unity shareholders will be 2.9 cents per share comprising 1.0cents per share to be received through an equal capital reduction and1.9 cents per share to be received as scheme consideration from Diversified Minerals. 

Unity says that “Throughout the second half of calendar 2015, the Board of Unity had initiated an internal assessment of its strategy in light of the decisions for the Henty Gold Mine to cease production in late 2015 and to not proceed with the application to enable cyanide processing at the Dargues Gold Project. 

These activities were reinforced on 13 October 2015, when Unity announced that it was conducting a full strategic review to examine all options to maximise shareholder value, having received approaches from a number of parties expressing interest in various asset transactions and other strategic initiatives.”

“Since that time, Unity management and its advisers have actively progressed discussions with a number of parties, including Diversified Minerals, on a range of potential transactions. These have included potential change of control proposals and asset level initiatives (including the arrangement for processing of Dargues concentrate at Westlime’s facility at Parkes, announced on 2 December 2015). Having considered all available options, including the potential for Unity to continue to progress the Dargues Project as an independent entity, the Unity Board has concluded that the Transaction represents the nearest and most certain outcome for shareholders in that it offers value certainty at as significant premium to recent share prices.”

To make a new submission or view the Response to Submissions visit www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au