Native Title Agreement Signed for Muchea Silica Sand Project
31 January 2020
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
Native Title Mining Project Agreement Signed
for Muchea Silica Sand 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
VRX Silica Limited (VRX or Company) (ASX: VRX) is pleased to
announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary and holder of the
Muchea Silica Sand Project (Muchea Project), Wisecat Pty Ltd
(Wisecat), has signed a Native Title Mining Project Agreement
(Agreement) for the Muchea 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.
ASX: VRX
Capital Structure*
Shares on Issue:
445.1 million
Listed Options*:
23.9 million
Unlisted Options:
69.5 million
Corporate Directory
Paul Boyatzis
Non-Executive Chairman
Bruce Maluish
Managing Director
Peter Pawlowitsch
Non-Executive Director
John Geary
Company Secretary
Company Projects
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.
Arrowsmith Silica Sand
Project, 270km north of
Perth, WA.
Muchea Silica Sand Project,
50km north of Perth, WA.
Boyatup Silica Sand Project,
100km east of Esperance,
WA.
Warrawanda Project south
of Newman, WA.
Biranup base metals and
gold Project adjacent to the
Tropicana Gold Mine, WA.
He continued, “This Agreement clears the path for grant of the
Mining Lease and the Miscellaneous Licences for the Muchea
Project.”
The Company is actively
assessing other silica sand
projects in Australia.
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.
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.
*Expected to be issued and quoted
on ASX by 3 February 2020
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.
This announcement has been authorised for release to ASX by Bruce Maluish, VRX Silica
Limited Managing Director.
Further information:
Bruce Maluish
Managing Director
brucem@vrxsilica.com.au
0418 940 417
Andrew Rowell
Cannings Purple
arowell@canningspurple.com.au
0400 466 226
About VRX Silica
VRX Silica Ltd (VRX Silica) (ASX: VRX) has significant silica sand projects in Western Australia.
The Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central Silica Sand Projects, located 270km north of Perth, comprise five
granted exploration licences and two mining lease applications pending. Bankable feasibility studies for both projects
have been released, each demonstrating exceptional financial metrics.
The Muchea Silica Sand Project, located 50km north of Perth, comprises one granted exploration licence, with one
mining lease application pending. Muchea is a world-class project with high purity silica sand in situ. A bankable
feasibility study for the project has been released demonstrating outstanding financial metrics.
The Boyatup Silica Sand Project, located 100km east of Esperance, comprises two adjacent granted exploration
licences. Initial indications are that this project will complement the Arrowsmith and Muchea projects while adding to
the range of silica products capable of production.
The Warrawanda Project, 40km south of Newman, WA is prospective for nickel sulphides.
The Biranup Project, adjacent to the Tropicana Gold Mine in WA’s Goldfields, is prospective for gold and base metals.
Proven Management
The VRX Silica Board and management team have extensive experience in mineral exploration and mine
development into production and in the management of publicly listed mining and exploration companies.
Project Locations
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