From what I understand, they got the general permit ("project...

From what I understand, they got the general permit ("project approval" http://www.ytcresources.com/i/documents/5/8/Hera%20Project%20Approval.pdf ) that still needs to be translated into operational details. Alkane is in the same situation: they got their permit for their Tomingley gold mine on the same day, and here is what they said yesterday:

"The approvals process in NSW over recent years has not been quick. The timing had very little to do with the quality of the work we have done on the environmental assessment of the project, but more the systems in place to deal with the workload of multiple applications. Other mining companies in NSW have made similar comments about the process. ...
For the TGP there are something like 15 or so operational management plans that have to be submitted to various government departments in addition to the formal approval. The final step in the process is for the Division of Resources and Energy to give its approval for the mining lease."

http://www.alkane.com.au/reports/asx/pdf/20120904.pdf

Of course, the basic content of these plans has already been part of the original application, so there should be no showstopper, but there are still details to be fleshed out and the operational plans must then be send to the relevant agency, read and checked by the agency, signed off by the agency, send back to YTC via mail ... times 15 (partly in parallel, but not completely I'd expect) ... takes some time. Hopefully, we'll see it all done this month.


"you would imagine that ytc could get finace approved subject to the receipt of any further required permit/license?"
Possibly. Maybe they are just waiting for higher gold prices, after all?