Nothing moves forward at uranium project until EAB rules on non-EIA appeals – EPA head

Oct 12, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – No exploration work at the Kurupung uranium project can commence until the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) reviews and rules on appeals challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to exempt the project from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

EPA Executive Director, Kemraj Parsram confirmed that exploration activities cannot proceed until the EAB decides whether to uphold or overturn the agency’s decision.  “The EAB will review and determine if to agree or disagree with our decision….nothing moves forward until the EAB makes its decision,” Parsram told Kaieteur News when contacted.

Following the publication of a notice by the EPA on August 26 exempting LIA (Guyana) Inc. from an EIA for mineral exploration at the Kurupung Uranium Project, separate appeals were lodged with the chairman of the EAB challenging the agency’s decision.

Canada-based firm U92 Energy Corp. owns the Kurupung Uranium Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, LIA (Guyana).

The project area spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium. U92 had anticipated that the phase one drill programme will commence during the month of August, 2026 following receipt of the EPA’s approval of the environmental management plan.

EPA cleared U92 to conduct soil sampling and approximately 5,000 metres of diamond drilling from about 30 drill platforms. The approved activities also include limited access-track works, rehabilitation of approximately 12 kilometres of an existing access road, a temporary exploration camp and secure drill-core storage.

However, the appeals have effectively put a pause on the proposed activities until the EAB makes its decision.

Kaieteur News reported on two separate appeals lodged by four organisations and 40 individuals, including former EPA head, Dr. Vincent Adams, and another by 15 individuals and three organisations.   Both groups raised concerns about the environmental and health risks associated with uranium exploration, the absence of consultations with nearby Indigenous communities and the adequacy of the EPA’s decision to waive the EIA requirement for uranium exploration.

EPA in its notice explained that following the review of the application, 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 agency explained that its decision was based on several factors, including that the project is limited to exploration and does not involve mining or mineral processing. Another factor stated is that land disturbance will be localised and mainly confined to small drill pads, access routes and temporary facilities.

However, the first group, in a letter dated September 25, questioned the agency’s assessment that the proposed activities were not likely to significantly affect the environment. The signatories also raised concerns about the contamination of air, land and waterways by toxic radioactive particles and waste; the lack of consultation with nearby Indigenous communities; the company’s experience; and the waste left behind by previous companies that operated the project.

Another appeal, submitted by Danuta Radzik on behalf of the signatories, similarly challenged the EPA’s decision. They questioned the grounds EPA listed for its exemption, that the agency’s decision violates the section of the Environmental Act, the lack of information on the company’s track record, lack of consultation with indigenous communities, the public, health and environmental risk concerns as well as questioning the agency’s capacity to monitor such project and Guyana lacking specific regulations for uranium exploration or mining.

U92 Energy acquired the project early this year through the acquisition of LIA Industries Pte. Ltd., a Singaporean firm that owns LIA (Guyana). This publication reported that 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.

Notably, Kurupung area was previously explored by Prometheus Resources (Guyana) Inc. and U3O8 Corp. between approximately 2006 and 2012.

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• EAB, EPA, Kemraj Parsram, uranium project

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