Having a look into the thread to see how things are going. I see...

Having a look into the thread to see how things are going. I see nothing has changed. Back and forth jibes, boredom, frustration, hopefulness and the odd conspiracy theory all still evident but no new news. The old adage that the vacuum created by the failure to communicate will be quickly filled with drivel, rumor and poison, very much applies here.

The main game is still the EPA as noted by many. As everyone is aware, the EPA says that -

Last updated - July 16, 2023
Current Status: Public Environmental Review period closed

What is needed from VRX is (unless I have missed something)
1. Has the EPA requested a Response to Submissions - presumably the have or will?
2. Has VRX responded to such a request?
3. Have the responses been accepted by EPA with or without further clarification required?
4. Are all Management Plans prepared and liaison with EPA enacted to ensure they meet EPA expectations?

As most of you will know the process from here is as follows - just for anyone who has not looked at it yet. (my emphasis and underlining).
3. Public review
The EPA may require the proponent to make the Environmental Review Document and any other information or report available for public review.The EPA may also require the proponent to respond to any submissions received during the public comment period.
4. Preparation of EPA draft assessment report
Once the EPA has adequate assessment information it will assess the proposal, based on information including:referral information,additional assessment information, including an Environmental Review Document,submissions (if information is made available for public review) and the proponent’s response to any submissions, if requiredadditional assessment information obtained during the assessment, including the EPA’s own investigations and inquiries.The EPA will also:consider whether Environmental Management Plans provided during the assessment are adequate;consider whether conditions are necessary and if so, develop draft conditions; andprepare a draft assessment report.
5. Completion of the EPA assessment
The EPA completes its assessment when the EPA considers the draft assessment report and any conditions and:agrees on the key environmental factors identified in the course of the assessmentagrees to recommend whether or not the proposal may be implementedagrees to adopt the draft assessment report as the basis for the EPA’s final assessment reportresolves that the EPA prepare and approve the final assessment report and give that report to the Minister.