Aurania Resources Awarded Key Exploration Permits in Northwestern France
Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU; OTCQB: AUIAF; Frankfurt: 20Q) announced on December 10, 2025, that it has been granted three new exploration licenses for polymetallic metals, including gold, in the Brittany Peninsula of northwestern France. These licenses, secured through a wholly-owned French subsidiary, are named Epona, Taranis, and Bélénos, and are located across southern Brittany and northern Pays de la Loire.
The granting of these permits marks a significant step for Aurania, aiming to deepen the understanding of subsurface resources in a region historically rich in metal production but largely unexplored since the 1980s.
Strategic Importance and Geological Potential
The newly acquired licenses cover substantial areas, with Taranis encompassing 359.5 km² and Bélénos covering 440.9 km². The exploration efforts will focus on the South Armorican Shear Zone, a major crustal fault identified by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) as containing gold associated with strategic metals over more than 150 km.
Dr. Keith Barron, President and CEO of Aurania Resources, commented on the development, stating, 'The French government's decision to grant us these permits is an excellent opportunity for Brittany and the Pays de la Loire to gain a deeper understanding of their subsurface resources and for France to find new sources of metals to secure the country's supplies.' He further emphasized the benefits of operating in a jurisdiction with 'institutional stability and high-quality infrastructure.'
Metals Targeted and European Context
The exploration will target a range of polymetallic metals, including gold, antimony, tungsten, tin, zinc, and copper, with potential by-products of silver and indium. This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act, which seeks to secure 10% of Europe's metal supply from within the continent by 2030.
Brittany has a long history of metal extraction, dating back to antiquity when it supplied tin and gold to the Roman Empire, and later base metals, silver, antimony, and uranium during subsequent eras. Despite this, modern exploration techniques have not been widely applied in the region for decades, positioning it as a potentially significant 'greenfield district' for new discoveries.
Company Background and Future Outlook
Aurania Resources Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company headquartered in Toronto, known for its focus on precious metals and critical energy projects. The company's flagship project is The Lost Cities - Cutucu Project in Ecuador. Dr. Keith Barron, a key figure in the company, is recognized for his role in the Fruta del Norte gold discovery in Ecuador.
The initial application for the Epona permit was filed in July 2023, followed by the submission of Taranis and Bélénos in October 2023. The successful granting of these licenses underscores a renewed interest in domestic mineral resources within France and the European Union.
5 Comments
Katchuka
What about water pollution and habitat destruction? They never mention the real cost.
Loubianka
Exploration could provide valuable geological data and potential for jobs. But we must be vigilant that this doesn't pave the way for large-scale mining without comprehensive environmental impact studies and public consent.
BuggaBoom
More mining? This is a step backward for environmental protection, not forward.
Michelangelo
Finally, Europe is taking steps to secure its own resources. Less reliance on ethically dubious sources is a win for global environment.
Africa
The economic benefits for the region are clear, but the long-term environmental impact of resource extraction needs careful assessment. We need transparency and public involvement in every step of this process.