Element 25 Limited announced that fast tracking of the manganese concentrate export operation at the Company's 100% Butcherbird Manganese Project (Project) is advancing on time and on budget. A number of key milestones have been reached including the lodgement of key permitting applications. Several key permitting applications have been submitted to the relevant government departments to start the approvals process. These include: Native Vegetation Clearing Permit; The clearing provisions of the Environmental Protection Act require the clearing of native vegetation to be authorised by a clearing permit. The application for this permit has been lodged with the Department of Mines, industry, Regulation and Safety (DMIRS). The clearing permit will allow for the removal of vegetation in the key work areas such as the open pit, the process plant, and the tails storage facility footprints. Water Abstraction Licence; The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), as Western Australia's water resource management agency, has responsibility for assessment and decision making for licences and permits to extract water for the processing plant operations. This permit application has been lodged with DWER, and is supported by detailed hydrogeological modelling of the proposed aquifer which was defined in the recent test bore pump test programme. Works Approval; Before a mining company can construct, install, alter or operate a plant, they must obtain a works approval and licence from the DWER, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986. This permit application has been lodged. Great Northern Highway Access; In addition to these key permit applications, the Company has now received approval for the proposed design of the access road where it intersects the Great Northern Highway. This approval was granted by Main Roads Western Australia. Mining Proposal/Mine Closure Plan; The Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan considers the environmental aspects of the mining operation and the rehabilitation activities at the conclusion of mining. An approved Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan are a pre-requisite to the commencement of operations. This application is expected to be lodged with DMIRS imminently. Project Management Plan; Under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA) (MSI Act), the commencement of mining operations is not permitted until a project management plan (PMP) has been approved. The PMP details the approach to managing hazards associated with the construction and operation of the proposed mine site. This application is expected to be lodged with DMIRS imminently.