EPA exempts Kurupung uranium exploration from EIA

Sep 11, 2026 News

---

…company cleared to pursue 5,000m drilling programme despite calls for consultations

(Kaieteur News) – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted Canada-based U92 Energy Corp.’s uranium exploration programme at the Kurupung project in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), clearing a key regulatory hurdle for the company’s planned drilling campaign.

In a notice published late August, the agency stated that, pursuant to Section 11(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, it had screened the application for the grant of an environmental permit for the proposed mineral exploration project before making its decision.

EPA explained that the application is for mineral exploration only for uranium, other radioactive minerals and rare-earth elements. It does not include commercial mining, ore extraction or processing, mine construction, or the establishment of radioactive tailings facilities.

“This decision means only that an EIA is not required for the proposed exploration programme. It does not constitute approval of uranium mining. No activities may commence unless the required Environmental Permit and other statutory approvals are granted,” EPA said. It further stated that any future proposal for mineral extraction, processing or mine development would require a separate application and environmental assessment.

Following its review of the application, the EPA said it determined that the proposed exploration activities are “not likely to significantly affect the environment” and are therefore exempt from the requirement to conduct an EIA. The EPA explained that the decision was based on several factors, including that the project is limited to exploration and does not involve mining or mineral processing. Another factor is that land disturbance will be localised and mainly confined to small drill pads, access routes and temporary facilities.

According to the agency, vegetation clearing, erosion, sediment, noise, dust, waste and spills are expected to be temporary and reversible and can be effectively managed. The agency further stated that drill holes and disturbed areas will be progressively sealed, stabilised and rehabilitated. Additionally, the EPA stated that fuel, waste, drill fluids and uranium-bearing core and samples will be securely contained, monitored and managed in accordance with an approved Environmental Management Plan and permit conditions, including radiation-safety requirements.

Lia (Guyana) owns the Kurupung Uranium Project, which spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium. Kaieteur News reported that U92 Energy acquired the project early this year through the acquisition of LIA Industries Pte. Ltd., a Singaporean firm that owns the local subsidiary.

EPA highlighted that the Kurupung area was previously explored by Prometheus Resources (Guyana) Inc. and U3O8 Corp. between approximately 2006 and 2012, including geological surveys, sampling and diamond drilling.  The agency said U92’s programme will further investigate previously identified targets and reuse existing access routes and disturbed areas where practicable.

EPA explained the proposed exploration programme includes soil sampling and approximately 5,000 metres of diamond drilling from about 30 drill platforms. It also includes limited access-track works, rehabilitation of approximately 12 kilometres of an existing access road, a temporary exploration camp and secure drill-core storage. Notably, the combined drill-pad footprint is approximately 0.055 square kilometres within the 92.2-square-kilometre licence area. Further, any person who may be affected by the proposed project may lodge an appeal against the agency’s decision that an EIA is not required within 30 days of the publication of the notice. Appeals against the EPA’s decision should be addressed to the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board via email at eabguyana21@gmail.com.

U92 Energy disclosed in April that it had submitted an environmental application to the EPA for phase one of its drill programme. Following subsequent correspondence with the EPA, U92 had anticipated receiving EPA approval in August so that it could commence phase one of its planned drill programme at the Kurupung Uranium Project.

However, last month, Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Kemraj Parsram, informed Kaieteur News that the agency was still vetting the application. Dr. Parsram had also underscored that the EPA is the competent authority that decides “if and when” an authorisation is granted in accordance with the EPA Act.  Since taking control of the asset, U92 has finalised a commercial agreement with Orbit Garant for phase one of the 5,000-metre diamond drill programme. The diamond drill rig assigned to U92 arrived earlier this year and had been awaiting approval to commence phase one drilling on high-priority targets at the project.

In addition, U92 has already sourced key machinery to support access road upgrades and drill-pad construction. The company also acquired the project’s historical technical and exploration dataset through a US$352,500 deal. This publication reported that LIA Industries’ local subsidiary, LIA (Guyana) Inc., was incorporated in Guyana on March 20, 2023, and holds exclusive rights to occupy and explore the property under two Prospecting Licences (PLs) issued by the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) on April 19, 2024. The licences permit exploration for uranium, other radioactive minerals, and rare-earth elements for three years, ending April 18, 2027, with an option to extend for up to two additional one-year periods through April 18, 2029.

U92 has described Kurupung as a project with a significant historical resource and a clear path to expansion, positioning it to meet growing global demand for nuclear energy as countries look to uranium as a low-carbon power source.

While U92 Energy has been advancing plans to begin drilling at the uranium project, there have been mounting concerns over the proposed project from civil society and politicians. The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), as well as Region Seven Vice-Chairman Alden Marslowe, has called for consultations and urged the Government and the EPA to halt the project. The APA cited the absence of public and community-level consultations, as well as a lack of information about the project. Meanwhile, former EPA Executive Director Dr. Vincent Adams had warned that Guyana currently lacks the regulatory and technical capacity needed to safely oversee uranium mining.

---

• Environmental Protection Act, EPA, Khemraj Parsram, Kurupung, Uranium

---