Fortuna(US:FSM) Globenewswire·2025-10-07 09:00Core Insights - Fortuna Mining Corp. has filed an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Diamba Sud Gold Project, marking a significant milestone in the permitting process and demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing the project towards a construction decision in the first half of 2026 [1][2] Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - The ESIA submission is essential for obtaining an environmental permit, which is part of the overall permitting process for project development [4] - The ESIA addresses key environmental and social considerations, including project description, benefits for Senegal, regulatory framework, baseline studies, public consultation, impact assessment, and proposed mitigation plans [6][7] Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) Status - Fortuna is progressing with the PEA for Diamba Sud, which will provide insights into the project's potential economics and development alternatives, with completion expected in early Q4 2025 [4][6] - A Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) will follow the PEA in the first half of 2026, incorporating results from the ESIA and ongoing drilling activities [4][6] Drilling Program Update - The company has completed 52,110 meters of drilling in 2025, leading to a 53% increase in Measured and Indicated resources and a 93% increase in Inferred resources [6][8] - Drilling is set to resume in October after the rainy season, focusing on testing extensions of open mineralization and advancing project generation across Diamba Sud and the contiguous Bondala exploration property [6][9][10] Recent Highlights - A maiden Inferred Mineral Resource at Southern Arc has been delineated, totaling 3.85 million tons at an average gold grade of 1.57 g/t, containing 194,000 ounces of gold, with further drilling planned to test extensions [9]