General Discussion AGY, page-17751

I have had a few concerns regarding the EIA approvals and have been speaking with JZ on the matter and cross referencing with my own research into matters.

The hold up on issuing the EIA is the understanding of the Salar hydrology in regards to the long term use of fresh water from the deep aquifers. This is very complex, so much so that the Salta mining authorities don't fully understand it, hence the hold up. Salta mining authorities are also looking for independent hydrologists that can verify data as they currently do not have the skill set to make a decision on the data.

from my own research, the long term affects from water use in salars is unknown. Each Salar is different and each location within a Salar is different again. With the edges of salars behaviour being different to the centre, the edges are usually more favourable in their function. My research into peer review studies conclude that the effects are unknown and more long term studies into Brine opperations and Salar behaviour is needed.

I feel with AGY asking for a further 10ktpa expansion is on the lower side of the current opperations asks hence having less of an effect on the Salar as some of the larger expansion permits currently under review. I feel this is favourable to AGY/Puna and we are in good standing to have our permits issued with on going hydrogeological studies being conducted during expansion to monitor any changes in the Salar.

The mining authorities will want to build a better picture of how mining operations will impact on local Salars. Because of the diverse nature of Salars their is no equation to give you an answer. The answers will only come from long term studies and data collection.

My conclusion after everything I've looked into is AGY/Puna will get their 10ktpa expansion permit and the mining authorities will learn from the expansion to make better informed decisions years down the track. On the timing of such permits, the Mining Secretary has had the hydrological data for 6 weeks now. I feel due to the complexity of the data they may need another 3-6 weeks to interpret the data and make their decision.

this is all part of Saltas Responsibility of Mining policy and building a sustainable revenue chain for Argentina which I am ok with.

All the best.