• CuFe has executed a land access agreement over its West Arunta licences with the local Native Title holders
  • Agreement with Parna Ngururrpa (Aboriginal Corporation) covers ground that is prospective for niobium and REE
  • Review underway with Ngururrpa common law holders to refine exploration activities

 

Special Report: CuFe is a key step closer to starting exploration on its four licences in WA’s West Arunta region after negotiating and executing a land access agreement with the Parna Ngururrpa (Aboriginal Corporation).

Importantly for the company, the agreement with the local Native Title holders facilitates applications to the minister responsible for administration of the Mining Act for consent to conduct exploration activities on the ground.

As specific heritage clearances will still have to be secured ahead of starting any work, CuFe (ASX:CUF) will now review and refine its exploration activities and work with Ngururrpa common law holders to clear proposed activities.

CUF wants to start work after the coming wet season with a focus on further defining targets identified from previous geophysical work.

Further insights may be gleaned from drilling that Lycaon Resources (ASX:LYN) is expected to carry out next month on the neighbouring Stansmore project, which is just 90km from WA1 Resources’ (ASX:WA1) tenements and where drilling returned world-leading grades of niobium and rare earths.

“We are pleased to have entered this agreement with Parna Ngururrpa (Aboriginal Corporation) and look forward to working with them as we move forward with our exploration activities in the region,” CUF executive director Mark Hancock said.

“The West Arunta is one of Australia’s most exciting frontier exploration destinations and we look forward to further refining and adding to the exciting targets we have previously identified on the ground in advance of drilling.”

 

West Arunta acreage. Pic: CuFe

 

Niobium and REE potential

The company’s West Arunta acreage has the potential to host carbonatite intrusive niobium and REE mineralisation.

It contains several magnetic anomalies that show some similarities to the recent carbonatite/niobium discoveries in the region.

A review of geophysical data in April identified nine target areas from airborne magnetic data, leading to the acquisition of the fourth licence in July.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with CuFe, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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