Panthera Resources PLC's joint venture partner in India, Metals Mining India Pvt. Ltd., filed a writ petition and a stay application with the High Court of Rajasthan in Jodhpur, India, after the government rejected a prospecting license application for the Bhukia gold-copper joint venture, according to a Sept. 6 release.
In its rejection in August, Rajasthan's government cited problems with the grant of the reconnaissance permit.
"The permitting process for Bhukia has been unnecessarily long and protracted and the JV has succeeded with legal intervention on numerous occasions, supported by the court," Panthera Managing Director Geoff Stanley said.
The state government previously said the reconnaissance permit was invalid as the application was made in the name of a company that was subsequently renamed Metals Mining India Pvt. Ltd. — deemed an asset transfer by the court, which was not allowed under mining laws.
Stanley said the joint venture is "extremely confident" that it will win the court case.