|
|
and Ngarlawangga People
|
|
JOINT
MEDIA RELEASE
9 DECEMBER
2008
MILESTONE HERITAGE AGREEMENT FOR MIDWEST?S
ROBINSON RANGE PROJECT
WA iron ore producer Midwest Corporation is pleased to
announce the finalization of its heritage agreements with the Jidi Jidi
Aboriginal Corporation (JJAC), covering its prospective iron ore and manganese
tenements at the Robinson Range Project in WA?s Mid West region.
The agreement has been reached with JJAC, the regional
native title prescribed body corporate, on behalf of the Nharnuwangga Wajarri
and Ngarlawangga (NWN) people, who have a determined native title claim which
includes the Robinson Range Project area, approximately 120km north
west of Meekatharra. The NWN people were the first native
title claim group to have their native title recognised in WA in 2000 after a
long court case.
The landmark agreement, which was formally signed on
November 27 at a ceremony on traditional lands at Yulga Jinna, will now pave
the way for commencement of advanced exploration and some mining across the
project.
Midwest Corporation Chief Executive Officer Bryan
Oliver said the Nharnuwangga Wajarri and Ngarlawangga Heritage Agreement was a
major milestone for both the company and the community.
?We are very pleased and proud to have reached this
agreement, which provides the basis for a long term and mutually beneficial
relationship with JJAC, the NWN people and Midwest Corporation,? Mr Oliver
said.
?For Midwest, it marks
an important step forward with the Robinson Range Project, and will open the
door for the commencement of exploration activities under the terms and
heritage protection procedures included in the agreement.
Jidi Jidi spokesperson Linda Riley said the agreement
was the result of the development of a constructive relationship and open
consultation between the two parties.
?For our people it will provide a range of outcomes to
support native title and heritage management, as well as long term community
development,? Linda Riley said.
?Through the agreement, local people will be involved
in environmental and community consultation with Midwest Corporation, as well
having as access to training and employment opportunities, and longer term
educational support,? Linda Riley said.
?An important aspect of this agreement is the
long term partnership with the community,? Mr Oliver said.
In April 2009, Midwest
will also be sponsoring a tour by the WA Symphony Orchestra (WASO) involving
five orchestra members to schools in Mt Magnet, Cue, Meekathara, and Yulga
Jinna. The ?WASO5? tour will give students an opportunity to experience live
orchestral music, as well as the chance to try some of the instruments
themselves.
Following the signing of the agreement, Midwest has
commenced heritage surveys before undertaking drilling and other exploration
activities at Robinson
Range in February 2009.
Initial exploration activities will target promising haematite deposits
identified by earlier geological field exploration.
Mr Oliver said the Company was also aiming in the
short term to establish a small scale manganese mining operation at Robinson
Range, which was an
historical source of high grade manganese.
Midwest, which was
this year acquired by Sinosteel Corporation, is currently developing five
projects in the Mid West region. This includes its flagship Weld Range
Project, where it has an identified haematite Mineral Resource of 149.2mt, and Jack
Hills, where it has
commenced a pre-feasibility study for a potential haematite project.
NB ? High resolution images of the Heritage Agreement
signing ceremony on traditional lands at Yulga Jinna are available on the Purple
Communications website, by clicking on this link:
http://www..purplecom.com.au/_content/documents/1018.JPG
For further
information, contract:
|
Midwest Corporation
Bryan Oliver
(08) 9226 2033
|
Purple Communications
Warrick Hazeldine
(08) 9485 1254
0417 944
616
|
ABOUT MIDWEST CORPORATION
Midwest Corporation is developing iron ore and steel
materials projects from one of the largest land holdings in the expanding mid
west resources region of WA. Its aim is to become a world class exporter of
iron ore and steel feedstock materials, backed by high quality resource
projects and direct customer and market partnerships.
In
2008, Midwest was acquired by Sinosteel Corporation, one of China's
largest iron ore trading and investment companies.
Midwest Corporation is advancing exploration
and pre-development activities in five discrete projects in the Midwest region,
and has commenced exporting of haematite to China
from one its direct shipping projects. It projects include:
? Koolanooka
(Haematite) - DSO project in production; 1Mtpa installed capacity from an Ore
Reserve of 7.9Mt at 57.8% Fe.
? Koolanooka
(Magnetite) - Significant magnetite Mineral Resource of 430Mt at 35% Fe,
representing approximately 26% of the mineralised outcrop strike length.
? Weld Range
- Flagship
haematite project with 149.2Mt JORC compliant Mineral Resource at 58.4% Fe from
Madoonga, Beebyn and Beebyn North deposits (with 72.9Mt being in the highest
?Measured? category), representing approximately 38% of the mineralised outcrop
length and with an exploration target of up to 299Mt across the tenements
(including the Hampton Hill Mining JV).
? Jack Hills
- Haematite project with an initial JORC compliant Mineral Resource of
15.4Mt at an average grade of 59.7% Fe and with an exploration target of up to
36Mt of DSO across the tenements. The potential to supplement the DSO with a
Beneficiable Feed Ore product is being evaluated.
? Robinson Range
- Exploratory mapping programme of hematite deposits with rock chip samples
having returned average assay ranges of 59.2% to 63.4% Fe over substantial
strike lengths. Midwest is also investigating
potential for a small scale manganese operation.
Midwest Corporation ? Projects
***
Issued by
Purple Communications
Level 3, 28
Kings Park Road, WEST PERTH
WA 6005
Ph: 08 9485 1254 Fax: 08 6263 0455
purple@purplecom.com.au