VRX Silica expects registration today of Indigenous Land Use agreement for Arrowsmith silica sand projects

VRX Silica Ltd (ASX:VRX) has received notice from the Yamatji Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) that conclusive registration of the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) is expected today, in accordance with the terms of the ILUA. The ILUA is an alternative settlement by the West Australian Government of Native Title claims covering a significant portion of land, including the Southern Yamatji People claim covering VRX Silica's Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central silica sand projects. The effect of conclusive registration is that VRX’s mining lease and miscellaneous licence applications for its Arrowsmith Projects will be dealt with under the terms of the ILUA and the company expects that the grant of Mining Leases for the Arrowsmith projects is imminent. Anticipating imminent grant Managing director Bruce Maluish said: “The conclusive registration of the Yamatji Nation ILUA gives us a clear line of sight on the grant of mining leases for VRX’s Arrowsmith North and Central silica sand projects and we are anticipating the imminent grant of these and related miscellaneous licences. “The ILUA draws a necessary end to our efforts and those by the Southern Yamatji Working Group and YMAC to establish and execute a Native Title project agreement. “However, we are confident the strong and supportive relationships VRX has established with the Southern Yamatji People, in particular, will benefit all parties as we advance development of the Arrowsmith projects.” Shares up Shares have been as much as 24% higher in early trade to 15.5 cents. VRX intends to continue to consult with the Southern Yamatji People as the Arrowsmith projects are developed to build on the positive relationships in place. Plan of Arrowsmith project areas. DMIRS consultation VRX has been in consultation with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) about the grant of the mining leases and miscellaneous licences under the ILUA. This process includes a requirement that the Department of Premier and Cabinet formally notifies the Yamatji representative regional entity and DMIRS of the ILUA’s conclusive registration within five business days of it occurring. VRX expects the mining leases and miscellaneous licences to be granted shortly after such notification. The ILUA will supersede the negotiations that were underway between VRX, YMAC and the Southern Yamatji Working Group over the terms of a Native Title project agreement for the Arrowsmith projects. These negotiations had been progressing in good faith, though they are now overtaken by the Government led ILUA, which settles all native title claims over the Arrowsmith projects area.