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De Grey seals landmark agreement with the Kariyarra People for mining of the Hemi Gold Deposit
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De Grey Mining has reached a Native Title Mining Agreement with the Kariyarra People, a significant milestone towards developing the Hemi Gold Deposit.
De Grey Mining (ASX:DEG) and the Kariyarra People have come to an agreement on establishing a strong, collaborative relationship following the signing of a landmark Native Title Mining Agreement.
The agreement advances De Grey’s Tier 1 Hemi project toward development and ultimately production.
The scope of the agreement covers all of Hemi’s resources, as well as project footprint and infrastructure, including plant and accommodation, tailings facilities and waste dumps.
The Kariyarra People are the most significant Traditional Owners of the lands at the company’s 100% owned Mallina Gold Project, which includes the significant Hemi deposits.
Today’s agreement will provide employment, training and contracting work for the Kariyarra People, and establish a Kariyarra ranger program to support Aboriginal cultural heritage and land management.
An ongoing collaboration
Additionally, there will be ongoing collaboration on both the project studies and exploration activities, including heritage clearances and cultural heritage management.
“We have worked closely with the Kariyarra People since the discovery of Hemi, and I would like to thank their Elders, their community and the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation for the agreement we have reached together,” said De Grey’s CEO, Glenn Jardine.
“We are committed to providing economic, employment and vocational opportunities for the Kariyarra People through the future development of Hemi.
“It will also support Aboriginal cultural heritage and land management through the establishment of a ranger program within Kariyarra country around the Hemi area,” added Jardine.
This is the first major Native Title Agreement entered into by the Kariyarra People since the group received its Native Title Determination in December 2018.
Working closely together
Today’s agreement is the culmination of De Grey and Kariyarra People working closely together over many years throughout the exploration and studies phase of the project.
This collaboration includes the completion of many heritage surveys to support drilling activities at Hemi.
Importantly, a Cultural Heritage Management Protocol was included in the agreement, ensuring that future development and operations at Hemi will minimise and avoid impact to Kariyarra cultural heritage.
This Kariyarra-led ranger program will support and preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage on Kariyarra lands.
It will also ensure the development of important land management processes and procedures, enabling both parties to care for the land in culturally sensitive ways whilst also sharing environmental knowledge and learnings.
“I appreciate the hard work of the Kariyarra Board of Directors in negotiating and settling the Native Title Mining Agreement with De Grey Mining for the development of the Hemi Project,” says Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation CEO, Nicholas Green.
“Final approval of the Agreement was given by the Kariyarra common law native title holders who unanimously supported it.
“We will work collaboratively with De Grey to ensure that the opportunities afforded by the Agreement are embraced for the long-term benefit of the Kariyarra People.”
A Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for Hemi is due for completion in mid-2023 ahead of a potential final investment decision, subject to statutory approvals, in the second half of 2023.
This article was developed in collaboration with De Grey Mining, 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.
