Cokal now expects that the 2 million tonnes per annum operation will require a 12-month construction period, leaving a 14-year operational period under the construction and operation approval.

The approval also provides for BBM to obtain future extensions to the operational period to support activities beyond the initial 15-year period.

Cokal CEO Peter Lynch said: “The completion of the port approval process is a fantastic outcome following several months of working closely with the Department of Transport.

“The approvals now provide us the opportunity to develop the site required for our 2Mtpa initial BBM project in addition to also providing adequate land for future expansion opportunities up to 6Mtpa.

“The granting of the port construction and operation approval provides certainty to the port location and now allows Cokal to start construction of the port facilities as soon as the Forestry permit is issued.”

The port facilities are located in, and on land adjacent to the Barito River, in Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan.

The construction and operation approval comprises a five-year construction window and a 10-year operational period.

The port location approval is for an area of about 150ha and includes the 37ha port area currently being sought in the Forestry Permit process.

The area approved for the port includes the land necessary for the initial 2Mtpa capacity scenario as identified in the BBM definitive feasibility study, in addition to the area necessary for the expansion up to the 6Mtpa capacity scenario.

It is estimated that there will be an access of about 110ha in the approved port area which will allow for future design optimisation and expansion opportunities beyond the 6Mtpa capacity scenario.