With the permit now in hand, Bluebird will take charge and present approval documents to its local country government before any site works begin at the property south of Seoul.

"From a practical point of view, the approval is now in hand and allows for the next stage of development works to begin, subject to presentation of these activities to local community members," Southern officials noted.

Also, because the development at Kochang is essentially re-opening of an historical mine with substantial underground workings already in place, the site's next stage of work will involve very modest capital costs.

The project remains subject to several conditions largely in relation to physical development requirements regarding safety and environmental management.

Upon reopening, first production is expected in 2020.