CENTURY Peak Metals Holdings Corp. has disclosed that its nickel smelting subsidiary is one step closer to establising operations in an industrial park in Leyte.

The company said in a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange that Century Hua Guang Smelting Inc. (CHGSI) has received a certificate of noncoverage from the Environmental Management Bureau?s Leyte office.

The certificate was for ground breaking and ground preparation work for the subsequent construction of its smelting plant at the Leyte Industrial Development Estate in Isabel, Leyte.

The plant will produce nickel pig iron.

The cerification of noncoverage exempts CHGSI from having to secure an environmental compliance certificate or ECC for its activities on the site.

?CHGSI shall commence the construction of its smelting plant at the Leyte Industrial Development Estate, pending the approval of the required permits and licenses,? Century Peak said.

The plant is being built as a joint venture with the owners of Zheijiang Hua Guang, one of China?s top nickel pig iron producers. The company operates six smelting plants in various provinces in China.

CHGSI was registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority on October 28, 2009 as an ecozone export enterprise.

The plant construction will be funded by Century Peak?s investment agreement with a UK-based group. Riza T. Olchondra