Australian miner Strickland Metals has disclosed an unexpected delay to the launch of its exploration drilling programme at the Rogozna gold project in southern Serbia, after the country’s mining ministry has yet to approve expanded drilling work plans submitted more than five months ago.
Strickland said in an ASX filing on Monday that it is awaiting ministry approval for the expansion of exploration drilling at the main Rogozna licence, which contains the existing Gradina, Shanac, Copper Canyon and Medenovac deposits. The company submitted the relevant approval documents in December 2024, noting that prior approvals have generally been obtained within three months of submission. The ministry had not responded to a request for comment at time of publication.
The 8.6 million ounce gold equivalent Rogozna project spans approximately 184 square kilometres across four exploration licences. Strickland has said the project could potentially become one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world and is targeting completion of a pre-feasibility study by mid-2027. While awaiting the main licence approval, the company said it has sufficient capacity under existing approved work programmes to proceed with drilling at the Obradov Potok and Jezerska Reka prospects, with preparatory works already underway.
The permitting delay coincides with growing community opposition to the project. Local media reported protests in Novi Pazar, the city closest to Rogozna, and in recent weeks residents of nearby villages, students and environmental activists have been blocking forest roads leading to the site in an attempt to prevent further exploration activities, which they fear could lead to the opening of a mine with adverse environmental consequences.
Strickland completed its acquisition of the project through Betoota Holdings and its Serbian subsidiary Zlatna Reka Resources in July 2024. Chinese mining giant Zijin holds a 5.55% stake in Strickland.
