BC Iron has reached an agreement with the Nyiyaparli People whose claim covered the southern part of its Nullagine Iron Ore Join Venture with Fortescue Metals Group, in the East Pilbara.
BC Iron has reached an agreement with the Nyiyaparli People whose claim covered the southern part of its Nullagine Iron Ore Join Venture with Fortescue Metals Group, in the East Pilbara.
BC Iron said the agreement paves the way for the granting of several miscellaneous leases that cover the proposed Southern Haul Road, completing the link between the project mining areas and FMG's rail infrastructure at the Christmas Creek Ore Processing Facility.
The Nyiyaparli are one of three Indigenous Groups who have Tradition Ownership claims underlying BC Iron's tenements.
BC Iron signed an agreement with the Palyku People in April 2010.
The company said the Njamal Peoples' claim does not affect the Joint Venture.
In a statement BC Iron said "Approvals from the Department of Mines and Petroleum for the Mining Proposal and Clearing Permit are on track for late July 2010 and once received, construction will immediately commence on the Northern and Central Haul Road as well as the Mining Centre."
See full company statement below:
Australian iron ore company BC Iron Limited (ASX: BCI); ("BC Iron"), as manager of the Nullagine Iron Ore Joint Venture (BC Iron 50% : Fortescue Metals Group 50%) is pleased to announce that it has signed the Nyiyaparli Infrastructure Agreement with the Nyiyaparli People whose claim covers the southern part of the Project area. The agreement paves the way for the granting of several Miscellaneous Leases that cover the proposed Southern Haul Road (refer Figure 1 below), completing the link between the Project mining areas and FMG's rail infrastructure at the Christmas Creek Ore Processing Facility.
The Nyiyaparli People, together with the Palyku People and the Njamal People, are one of three Indigenous Groups who have Traditional Ownership claims underlying BC Iron's tenements. BC Iron signed a Mining Agreement with the Palyku People in April 2010, which allowed for grant of the Mining Lease at Outcamp and Miscellaneous Leases for the northern section of the haul road. The Njamal Peoples' claim does not affect the Joint Venture.
As well as Native Title Agreements, which provide for the grant of mining tenure, mining companies in Western Australia must also carry out heritage surveys to identify heritage sites with a view to avoiding disturbance wherever possible. These surveys are done in consultation with the Native Title Traditional Owners. Sites where disturbance cannot be avoided are recorded and salvaged under the WA Department of Indigenous Affairs Ministerial Approval process known as a "Section 18" before they can be disturbed. To date, Section 18 approval has been received for the Northern Haul Road and the Mining Camp. Application for Section 18 approval for the Mining Lease and Central Haul Road was submitted during May and approval is expected in July. Heritage surveys over the Southern Haul Road are planned to commence in the coming weeks and if necessary, the Section 18 application for approval for this part of the haul road will be submitted in the September Quarter.
BC Iron has developed a very good working relationship with the Palyku Traditional Owners whose claim covers the northern part of the Project, and with much thanks to the Palyku, all heritage surveys have progressed to schedule. The Company looks forward to working closely with the Nyiyaparli People in the upcoming surveys to ensure that the schedule for development remains on track.
Approvals from the Department of Mines and Petroleum for the Mining Proposal and Clearing Permit are on track for late July 2010 and once received, construction will immediately commence on the Northern and Central Haul Road as well as the Mining Centre.
