European Metals Holdings Ltd. said Aug. 5 that it received an extension to Dec. 31, 2020, for an exploration license for its Cinovec lithium-tin project in the Czech Republic.

The extension covers two preliminary mining permit areas at the project. Under the permitting process in the Czech Republic, preliminary mining permits allow a company to apply for a final mining permit but not to conduct drilling.

The company sought the extension of the exploration license, which expired in July, to conduct further drilling.

Through its Geomet s.r.o unit, European Metals holds preliminary mining permits for the East and South deposits of Cinovec, with an application for the Northwest deposit pending. The three deposits comprise the entire project.

Managing Director Keith Coughlan told Reuters in July that European Metals was in preliminary discussions with potential customers and may start operations at Cinovec by mid-2022.