09:42 AM EDT, 03/28/2019 (MT Newswires) -- Centerra Gold (CG.TO) and Premier Gold Mines (PG.TO) both edged lower early on Thursday after saying their Greenstone Gold Mines joint venture received Ontario environmental approvals for the Hardrock mine project in the province's northwest.

The partners said they will now move on to further de-risk the project, budgeting $54 million in 2019 for exploration drilling, permit applications and detailed engineering.

The provincial approval follows on federal environmental permits awarded in December.

Centerra shares were last seen down $0.13 to $7.31 on the Toronto Stock Exchange while Premier was down $0.04 to $1.61.

Price: 7.44, Change: +0.07, Percent Change: +0.95