Sirius Resources has inked a mining agreement with the Ngadju people, paving the way for the development of the world-class Nova nickel deposit near Norseman.
Sirius said the next hurdle it had to clear for Nova was the granting of a mining lease, which will allow it to submit its pre-prepared documentation to secure the remaining development approvals for the mine.
The mining agreement includes a range of economic, educational, vocational and cultural initiatives that will extend beyond the life of the mine.
Managing director Mark Bennett said the company was proud to achieve a positive outcome in a short period of time.
“We have developed a very good relationship with the Ngadju people and have achieved what we think is a landmark agreement,” Mr Bennett said.
Mr Bennett said the Nova project would provide the company with the opportunity to acknowledge the Ngadju people as the rightful, traditional owners of the land, and pay respect to the legitimacy of the peoples’ connection to the area.
“I would like to think that our agreement sets an example for the constructive way in which the enduring legacy can engage and co-operate with the aboriginal communities in which it works to provide an enduring legacy that can stretch far beyond the mine gate,” he said.
“I also hope that this helps to show the broader Australian community that the development of the nation’s resources can be done in harmony with the key cultural and environmental values and aspirations of aboriginal and non-aboriginal people alike.”
