CST Mining Group Limited announced that the ministry of energy and mines of Peru has issued its approval to Macrobre, a 70% owned subsidiary of the company, for the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Mina Justa Project.

Mr Damon Barber, CEO of CST Mining said that “The EIA approval is a key milestone in the construction and operation of the Mina Justa Project and is a requirement for all the subsequent construction and operation approvals and authorizations. We are glad to receive this pivotal approval from the Peruvian government and are on track to start construction in 2011.”

He added that “Together with the approval we received in July for the Plan of Operations of our Lady Annie Project which allowed the resumption of full scale mining activities, CST Mining has made tremendous progress towards realizing its goal of becoming a world-class copper mining company.”

With the approval of the EIA, the Peruvian government has certified the environmental feasibility of the Mina Justa Project, which comprises an open pit mine, oxide and sulphide mineral processing facilities, power transmission and water delivery infrastructure and an access road.

The construction of the Mina Justa mine in southern Peru is a key part of the Company’s near term growth plan. The Mina Justa project is expected to produce 110,000 tonnes per annum of copper, creating 1,500 jobs during the construction stage and 600 full time jobs once both processing plants are operating.