Crusader Resources has received a highly anticipated operating license for its Posse iron ore project in Brazil.

Mining will begin immediately with first iron ore production targeted by Crusader for early in 2013.

A License to Operate for the Posse project was granted by the Minas Gerais state environmental council COPA, after the license was approved Horizonte in Brazil.

Under the license, Crusader can begin operations under its existing trial mining license which is granted for 300,000 tonne per annum of run of mine ore production using dry beneficiation.

The process plant is fully constructed and commissioned.