Invictus Energy has announced that Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has approved the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for pilot production activities at the Cabora Bassa project.

This approval marks a step toward the commercialisation of gas resources within the Cabora Bassa Basin.

Invictus’ asset portfolio comprises 360,000 hectares in the Cabora Bassa Basin, including the special grant (SG) 4571 and exclusive prospecting orders (EPOs) 1848 and 1849, which contain the recently identified Mukuyu gas field along with several Basin Margin prospects.

The pilot production activities within the basin include the initiation of the Eureka gold mine gas-to-power project, gas extraction, liquefaction and transportation from the Mukuyu gas field, as well as future operations across SG 4571 and EPOs 1848 and 1849.

Invictus Energy managing director Scott Macmillan said: “The ESIA approval is a critical milestone for Invictus and paves the way for the future development of the Mukuyu gas field and broader exploration licence areas. We will now finalise pilot production planning, secure all necessary permits and advance discussions with additional potential offtake partners.

“Invictus remains committed to unlocking Zimbabwe’s gas potential and delivering long-term value to shareholders and the broader region. I look forward to providing further updates as we advance these pilot production activities.”

The Eureka gold mine gas-to-power project is being developed in partnership with Dallaglio, the owner of Eureka Mine, and Himoinsa, the onsite power generation provider.

It aims to utilise the gas resources from the Mukuyu field to provide the Eureka Mine with a reliable and cost-effective power supply.

The Eureka gas-to-power project’s feasibility study shows a look-through gas price above $10 per gigajoule (GJ).

In November 2024, Invictus Energy announced the completion of an independent review of a petroleum production sharing agreement in Zimbabwe by the European legal counsel for the Cabora Bassa Project.

This review, supported by the Africa Legal Service Facility, marked a milestone for Invictus Energy’s exploration and production efforts for the project.