Kairos signs mining deal with Nyamal Corporation
Kairos Minerals Ltd has signed a mining agreement with Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) covering the Mount York gold project in the Pilbara in Western Australia.
NAC represents the Nyamal People, the Traditional Owners of the country where the Mt York Gold Project is located.
The signed agreement is the final step required for the grant of mining lease application M45/1306, which covers the Mt York project site.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between Kairos and NAC across the exploration, development and operating phases of the project, which is currently the subject of a 30,000-metre drilling campaign.
“We are proud to announce the signing of this agreement with NAC over our Mt York Gold Project in WA’s Pilbara. I extend my gratitude to all members of NAC and the Nyamal People who have negotiated in good faith over the past 12 months to see this important agreement come to fruition,” Kairos managing director Dr Peter Turner said.
“I look forward to building a solid partnership with the Nyamal People as we develop Mt York on Nyamal Country.
“We take our responsibilities for cultural heritage and environment seriously and will engage with NAC to deliver the best possible outcome to Nyamal People, especially engaging the emerging generation with opportunities as we develop this exciting project.”
Cultural heritage
The agreement is the result of 12 months of negotiations between Kairos and NAC aimed at forming a genuine partnership for the development of Mt York for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the Nyamal People.
It is designed to maintain a strong working relationship between the parties and ensure the project is developed in a way that identifies and manages cultural values within the project area, while complying with state heritage and environmental legislation.
An Aboriginal Heritage Protocol incorporated into the agreement sets out how the company will undertake activities in a way that respects and protects Nyamal Cultural Heritage. It provides for the identification, protection and management of cultural heritage throughout the development and operation of the project.
NAC co-chair Troy Eaton said: “The Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation worked closely with our Nyamal Elders to build our relationship with Kairos and negotiate this agreement. We look forward to the development of this project and the benefits it will bring to the Nyamal community while ensuring our cultural heritage is protected throughout the life of the project.”
Tenement coverage
The agreement recognises the project area, including mining lease application M45/1306 where the Mt York Gold Project is located, as well as tenements over which Kairos holds mineral rights (excluding lithium and tantalum) under its mineral rights agreement with Pilbara Minerals Ltd (PLS).
This coverage ensures that the arrangements with NAC extend across the key licences associated with the development of Mt York.
Compensation
Under the agreement, compensation will be paid to the Nyamal People and structures are put in place to facilitate employment and contracting opportunities for Nyamal-owned businesses arising from the project.
The agreement also provides for milestone-based payments linked to project development and production, as well as a royalty-style payment contingent on the commencement of commercial gold production at Mt York.
Under the agreement, compensation will be paid to the Nyamal People and structures are put in place to facilitate employment and contracting opportunities for Nyamal-owned businesses arising from the project.
The agreement also provides for milestone-based payments linked to project development and production, as well as a royalty-style payment contingent on the commencement of commercial gold production at Mt York.
* Kairos Minerals Ltd is an Australian mineral exploration company targeting large-scale gold, lithium and rare earth element (REE) discoveries in Western Australia’s premier mining districts including the Pilbara and the Eastern Goldfields.
