Frontier Resources International (FRI) in its update on Thursday announced that the Zambian Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development has renewed the Block 34 exploration licence for an additional three years.

According to the company, a four year exploration licence was granted on 25 March 2011 over Block 34. On 8 January 2015, the company filed for an extension to the exploration license as the initial four-year exploration licence had expired.

The Zambian Ministry renewed the exploration licence with the condition that the Company has from now till March 14, 2016 to perform an Environmental Project Brief (EPB). It also has to pay for any remaining unpaid legislative fees with immediate effect.

As a matter of fact, Frontier is currently deliberating on the renewal letter and plans to get more explanation from the Ministry as to the requirements of an EPB and any associated fees before the licence certificate is being presented to the Ministry for renewal authorization.

Block 34 is situated in the Kafue Trough, South west of Zambia. It covers an area of about 6,427 km² with no preceding hydrocarbon exploration and may form a part of the southwestern extension of the productive East African rift system, Energy-pedia reports.

Anita Fatunji