Ann: Drilling Results Confirm Expansion Potential at Salave, page-30

"The reaction of the population of Salave was divided regarding the mining project. Supporters in favour of the project united under the slogan ‘Trabajo Ya Mina Sí’ (‘Jobs Yes, Mine Yes’) and affirm that 70% of the population is in favour of the mine. They see the risk of environmental pollution as negligible and insist that the water of the Porcia River would not be used: the mine would work on the base of a closed circuit. Furthermore, ‘Trabajo Ya Mina Sí’ argue that there is still a great crisis in Spain. The unemployment rate in the region is over 40% and the population has never been able to make a living out of tourism. In other words, a new mine would boost the region’s economy"

Anyone interested in the permitting matter should do a bunch of research into the matter, i agree its the only thing holding alot of people back, but i believe the major factor in it relates to the manner and principle in which the original open-pit mine was planned, and subsequent permits have been delayed by other matters less related to this - and more related to the conduct of the previous businesses in the region in general. There's alot of lit out there.