- VRX Silica (VRX) has announced the terms of its proposed Native Title Mining Project Agreement have been approved by the Southern Yamatji People Working Group
- The agreement covers the Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central silica sands projects which are located 270 kilometres north of Perth in WA
- Despite COVID-19 delays, VRX managed to come to a mutual consensus with the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) and the Southern Yamatji Working Group
- Terms include preserving Aboriginal heritage and promoting awareness of the Southern Yamatji People’s traditions, as well as employment opportunities, managing environmental impact and providing compensation
- VRX will now proceed to lodge the final documents for the relevant mining leases
- Company shares have dropped 2 per cent and are currently trading for 9.8 cents each
VRX Silica (VRX) has announced the terms of its proposed Native Title Mining Project Agreement have been approved by the Southern Yamatji People Working Group.
The agreement covers the areas of the Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central silica sands projects.
Due to COVID-19-related rules against travelling to and from Aboriginal communities and the gathering of large groups, the negotiation process faced hefty delays.
However, the company working constructively with the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) and the Southern Yamatji Working Group to come to a mutual consensus.
“We are delighted to have reached consensus with the native title claimants on the terms of the mining project agreement, which clears the pathway for grant of Mining Leases for both Arrowsmith projects,” Managing Director Bruce Maluish said.
The negotiated terms include preserving and managing Aboriginal heritage within the mining lease areas, promoting awareness of the Southern Yamatji People’s traditional laws and customs and facilitating cross-cultural exchanges between the Southern Yamatji People and VRX’s employees and contractors.
Other terms include managing the environmental impact, maximising employment opportunities with the Southern Yamatji People and providing initial and ongoing compensation to the Southern Yamatji People.
Now that the terms of the agreement have been accepted, it must be formally signed by all 12 individual Native Title applicants along with a separate State Deed between the individuals, the company and the state.
Once complete, the documents will be lodged to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) to finalise the grant of the mining leases and associated licences for Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central.
The Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central projects are located 270 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia. They comprise five exploration licences and two pending mine lease applications.
Company shares have dropped 2 per cent and are trading for 9.8 cents each at 12:28 pm AEST.