Canadian firm gets copper exploration licenses in Poland

Miedzi Copper, a Canadian-owned metals mining firm, has obtained two new copper exploration licenses from Poland’s Ministry of the Environment. Altogether the firm already has 15 such licenses. Poland’s metals mining giant KGHM, which was also competing for the two licenses, said that it would appeal the decision. Stanisław Speczik,director general at Miedzi Copper, told Rzeczpospolita that in his opinion Poland’s copper deposits a large enough for more than one company to be active in the area. He added that the Canadian investor will be able to finance the construction of a mining complex on the deposits, worth some $4-5 billion. /kw