WA1 Resources (ASX: WA1) has signed a negotiation protocol with the native title representative body for the Ngururrpa native title holders at its 100% owned West Arunta project in Western Australia’s north.
The signing of the protocol is viewed as a lead-up to the potential entry into of a mining agreement for the development and operation of the West Arunta project.
WA1’s executive director, Tom Lyons, said it has been mutually designed to ensure that the traditional way of life of the Ngururrpa people is preserved. The protocol also lays out an indicative timeline for negotiations that is aligned with WA1’s goals.
Early consultation welcomed
Mick Bennie, chairperson of Parna Ngururrpa Aboriginal corporation (RNTBC) on behalf of the Ngururrpa people, said the group welcomed WA1’s early consultation with regards to the project.
“So that we have time to talk to our families and carefully check everything as we work together. Other people coming on to our country is like coming into our living room, so it is important that companies respect the land and our culture and our people.”
“We think WA1 is a very respectful company and we look forward to working together to talk about a mining agreement.”
Comprehensive consultation ensured
Mr Lyons said the negotiation protocol is designed to ensure comprehensive consultation with the Ngururrpa people.
“These consultations will enable the alignment of WA1’s operational objectives to the benefit of the Ngururrpa native title holders as we look to enter into a Mining Agreement.”
“After a decade of working in the region we have developed relationships which underpin our commitment to having a positive impact on the communities within the lands on which we operate, and this will be reflected in the spirit of our negotiations.”
Making strong progress
The successful initial native title discussions continue WA1’s strong run of success at West Arunta where the company discovered two mineralised carbonatite systems at Luni and P2 in its maiden exploration drill program.
Follow-up activities have confirmed a potentially significant niobium deposit at Luni, and an exciting earlier-stage prospect at P2.
Niobium is a critical metal with unique properties that make it essential as the world transitions to a low carbon economy. Global supply is concentrated in Brazil (90% of global production), however global demand for niobium products is widespread. There are many end users and a growing number of applications.
Further drilling success
In July 2023 a four-hole RC program further confirmed the intrusion system at West Arunta.
Meanwhile, two drill rigs operated through the majority of the year to acquire the data required for the compilation of a maiden Mineral Resource estimate at Luni which is expected to be completed and reported during the first half of 2024.
Diamond drilling at Luni is also collecting drill core for the commencement of metallurgical testwork programs. This work will look to test a conventional flowsheet design, similar to that currently used by the three existing major niobium mines globally.
Promising assay results
Recent extensional drilling assay results from Luni confirmed further continuity of the shallow, high-grade blanket of mineralisation which remains open and now extends over 2km east-west
By late September, over 20,000m of drilling has been completed at Luni with a further 10,000m planned for the remainder of the year.
The latest assay results highlighted an extension of the shallow, high-grade niobium mineralisation into the west of the carbonatite, well beyond the known high-grade northeast trending corridor which has been the subject of significant infill drilling.
An additional significant niobium intersection was returned from ongoing broad 200m step-out drilling, with LURC23-043 intersecting high-grade mineralisation in the south-east of Luni.
A reconnaissance drillhole located 200m south of hole 043, ended in high-grade mineralisation with the final metre returning 1m at 3.7% niobium.
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