Vital agreement with traditional owners at Watershed

  Vital Metals has finalised an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the traditional owners, the Western Yalanji People, over the land affected by the proposed mining and processing operation at its Watershed Tungsten Project in far North Queensland.The ILUA covers a total area of 6,348 hectares, being the full area encompassing the seven Mining Lease Applications over Watershed, plus an additional buffer zone surrounding the MLAs. The ILUA was negotiated directly between Vital Metals and the Western Yalanji People, with facilitation by the North Queensland Land Council. The agreement was signed by authorised representatives of the Western Yalanji People after wide consultation with the group throughout Queensland and will now be submitted to the National Native Title Tribunal for formal registration. The package includes training and education bursaries, employment and small contracting opportunities, and the co-operative application of the local knowledge and experience for the establishment of a dedicated nursery for native trees and vegetation, in preparation for planting and rehabilitation of affected land as operations progress. Vital Metals Managing Director, Andy Haslam said the finalisation of the agreement was a key milestone in the progress of the Watershed Tungsten Project. “This has been an excellent example of mutual co-operation between a company aspiring to the development of a significant mineral resource and the Indigenous owners and we look forward to working with the Western Yalanji People over the coming years,” Mr Haslam said.