VRX Silica’s (ASX: VRX) wholly-owned subsidiary and holder of the Muchea Silica Sand Project, Wisecat Pty Ltd, has signed a Native Title Mining Project Agreement for the Muchea Project.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Formal agreement reached with representatives of the Whadjuk People Native Title Claim Group and SWALSC
- Whadjuk People consent to grant of Mining Lease and Miscellaneous Licences for Muchea Silica Sand Project
- VRX commences formal process for grant of Mining Lease for Muchea Silica Sand Project
The Agreement has been entered into with the Whadjuk People Native Title Claim Applicants under Application WAD242/2011 (as the authorised representatives of the Whadjuk People Native Title Claim Group) and the South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council Aboriginal Corporation (SWALSC) in its capacity as agent for the Whadjuk People.
Under the terms of the Agreement the Whadjuk People give their consent to the grant of the Mining Lease and the Miscellaneous Licences for the Muchea Project within the Native Title claim area and the conduct of silica sand mining operations at the Muchea Project.
Commenting on the agreement, VRX’s Managing Director Bruce Maluish said, “We are delighted to have reached agreement in good faith with the Whadjuk People and SWALSC.
“This represents a significant milestone in the development of our Muchea Silica Sand Project.
“This Agreement clears the path for grant of the Mining Lease and the Miscellaneous Licences for the Muchea Project.”
Wisecat has commenced the formal process with the National Native Title Tribunal required for the grant of the Mining Lease by the Minister for Mines for the Muchea Project.
The Agreement also provides for a set of shared long-term objectives for the parties and a range of measures designed to achieve those objectives over the term of the Agreement (being the life of the Muchea Project).
These include:
- the preservation and management of Aboriginal heritage within the Mining Lease area wherever possible pursuant to an agreed Heritage Protocol;
- the promotion of awareness of the Whadjuk People’s traditional laws and customs and facilitation of cross-cultural exchange between the members of the Whadjuk People and Wisecat and its employees and contractors;
- ensuring the environmental impact of agreed mining operations is managed in accordance with relevant statutory obligations;
- maximising employment and contracting opportunities for Whadjuk People contractors in connection with agreed mining operations; and
- the provision of agreed initial and ongoing compensation to the Whadjuk People for the effects on Native Title arising from the grant of the Mining Lease and Miscellaneous Licences within the Native Title claim area, the conduct of mining operations and the issue of agreed project approvals.
In addition, the Agreement contains provisions that are customary for an agreement of this nature, including as to confidentiality, warranties, force majeure and dispute resolution procedures.
