Emerging mineral and silica sands producer Diatreme Resources Ltd (ASX:DRX) has signed a protocol agreemet with the Dingaal Clan which it hopes will expedite the company’s Northern Silica Project in North Queensland.
Among the key negotiations between the two parties – Diatreme and Walmbaar Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) – will be the development of a cultural heritage plan to ensure protection of significant sites and traditions.
Other crucial aspects will be strategies to manage impacts of the project on the community, and the balancing of this with economic considerations, including local employment for the Dingaal Clan, which Diatreme says it is committed to.
Diatreme CEO Neil McIntyre said the protocol’s signing was a significant step forward in the Company’s engagement with Traditional Owners.
“Diatreme has made engagement with the local community and Traditional Owners our highest priority, right from the very start of our Far North Queensland silica sand projects’ development,” he said.
“We are delighted to sign this negotiation protocol with the WAC, highlighting our commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with the Dingaal People.”
“Diatreme is committed to ensuring that future negotiations are carried out in good faith in an open and transparent manner, as we work towards reaching agreements that deliver significant benefits, including employment and training opportunities to the Dingaal People, while ensuring that their rich cultural heritage is sustained for future generations.”
In June last year, Diatreme released a scoping study which showed potential for production of 5 million tonnes per annum from NSP, which is one of the world’s largest deposits of high purity silica sands, with a silicon dioxide (SiO₂) purity of greater than 99 percent and low iron content of less than 120 parts per million (ppm).
Diatreme resources has been trading at 1.9c.