Gold Road Resources (ASX:GOR) has signed an historic native title mining agreement for its Gruyere and Central Bore gold projects located in the Yamarna Greenstone Belt in central Western Australia. The agreement was the first signed by the Yilka People and the first across the entire Yamarna Belt. With consent to mine from the Yilka, Gold Road is able to submit the State Deed for the granting of the mining leases for Gruyere and Central Bore.
Gold Road Resources Limited (Gold Road or the Company) is pleased to advise it has signed a historic native title agreement for its advanced Gruyere and Central Bore gold projects, which are located in the Yamarna Greenstone Belt approximately 200 kilometres east of Laverton in Western Australia.
The landmark agreement between Gold Road, the Yilka People and the Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Corporation (CNAC) was signed at a ceremony at Gold Road’s Yamarna camp on Tuesday, 3 May 2016. The signing, which was witnessed by WA Mines Minister Sean L’Estrange, marked the first native title mining agreement entered into by the Yilka People, the registered native title claimants. This is also the first native title mining agreement across the entire Yamarna Belt.
Gold Road Executive Chairman Ian Murray praised the Yilka and CNAC, and their representatives for the spirit in which negotiations were conducted and said the agreement was a significant milestone for all parties involved.
“It is an honour to be the first company to sign a native title mining agreement with the Yilka People and we look forward to collaborating closely with them and the CNAC as we take Gruyere into development and gold production” he said.
With a native title agreement settled, Gold Road is able to submit the State Deed for the granting of the mining leases for the Gruyere and Central Bore Projects.
The Company expects to complete a Feasibility Study on the Gruyere Project by the end of 2016, putting it in a position to make a final investment decision on the Project.
Yilka and CNAC were advised by Central Desert Native Title Services, M Watts Legal, Integrate Sustainability Pty Ltd and Strategic Water Services. Gold Road was advised by Ashurst, DLA Piper, Indigenous Services Australia and Advisian.
Following completion of the recently announced $74M equity funding Gold Road will be well funded to complete the FS and commence long lead item purchases and related activities for the Gruyere Project.
