Apollo Minerals signs native title deal

West Perth-based Apollo Minerals Ltd has signed a native title agreement with the Ngarluma People, traditional owners of the land where the company's Mt Oscar iron ore project is located.

In a statement today, Apollo said it will work with the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation over the coming weeks to complete a heritage survey over areas of the proposed access tracks and drilling sites.

Following the survey, Apollo will then start a drilling campaign once the licence applications have been granted, expected by early December.

Apollo has already completed its preliminary geological mapping and sampling program over the project located in the Pilbara, which has identified a number of drill targets.

Below is the full announcement:

Apollo Minerals Limited (Apollo or the Company) is pleased to advise that it has signed a Native Title and Aboriginal Heritage Agreement with the Ngarluma People, the traditional owners of the country in which Apollo's Mt Oscar exploration licence applications are situated.

Signing of this agreement is pivotal to the grant of the two Mt Oscar exploration licence applications E47/1378 and1379 which are now being processed by the Department of Industry and Resources and are expected to be granted early December 2008.

Apollo has completed its preliminary geological mapping and sampling programme using data from the recently flown airborne magnetic survey and aerial photography. This work has resulted into the identification of a number of drilling targets.

Apollo will be working with the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation over the coming weeks to complete a heritage survey over the areas of the proposed access tracks and drilling sites.

Following the successful completion of the heritage survey, the Company will then be ready to commence drilling immediately after the granting of the exploration licences.

The Mt Oscar magnetite project is located within the Cleaverville Formation and outcrops as magnetite- rich Banded Iron Formation (BIF) forming a number of significant ridges within the project area.

Apollo would like to acknowledge the efficient and professional approach of Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation in relation to these negotiations which enabled an agreement to be completed that protects the interests of both parties.