CuFe Ltd (ASX:CUF) has struck a land access deal with Parna Ngururrpa (Aboriginal Corporation), the Registered Native Title Body Corporate responsible for the Ngururrpa Native Title Determination, to explore in the West Arunta region of WA.
Series of productive meetings
The agreement with Parna Ngururrpa follows a series of productive meetings between the two parties, including discussions held in Balgo with the corporation's board and a wider group at the AGM earlier this month.
CuFe executive director Mark Hancock said: “We are pleased to have entered this agreement with Parna Ngururrpa (Aboriginal Corporation) and look forward to working with them as we move forward with our exploration activities in the region.
“We have had the opportunity to meet in Balgo, initially with the board and then earlier this month, with the wider group at their Annual General Meeting.
“These meetings enabled the parties to better understand each other’s requirements and objectives and formed a basis of understanding that facilitated execution of this agreement.”
The deal encompasses all four of CuFe’s exploration licences in the West Arunta, including three granted licences - E80/5925, E80/5950, E80/5990 - and one in application, E80/6052.
Critical step before ground campaign
The execution of this agreement is a critical step for CuFe’s exploration activities in the West Arunta region, an area designated as an Aboriginal Reserve.
As per local regulations, the company is required to obtain consent from the responsible minister for any on-ground exploration work.
The agreement with Parna Ngururrpa frees the company up to apply for this consent, which means CuFe is moving closer to kicking off exploration activities on the ground.
In preparation for the next phase, CuFe will review and refine its proposed exploration program.
This will involve working closely with the Ngururrpa common law holders to ensure compliance with heritage clearance protocols before any work begins.
As part of its review process, CuFe will focus on the high-potential geophysical targets previously identified through exploration work, which were highlighted in the company’s ASX announcements dated April 29, 2024, and July 18, 2024.
In other news, neighbouring tenure held by Lycaon Resources is set to undergo drilling next month.
CuFe anticipates that the results from Lycaon’s drilling will provide valuable geological insights that will support the prioritisation and refinement of its own targets.
CuFe’s exploration activities are scheduled to start after the upcoming wet season, once the necessary approvals are in place and the heritage clearance protocols are satisfied.
West Arunta a promising frontier
The company’s long-term strategy is to unlock the significant exploration potential of its West Arunta licences, capitalising on the exciting prospects revealed by its earlier geophysical work.
The West Arunta region has garnered attention as one of Australia’s most promising frontier exploration areas, and CuFe’s continued progress further cements the region’s importance in the country’s exploration landscape.
With several high-priority targets already picked out for a ground campaign, CuFe is well-positioned to advance its exploration activities once ground access is secured.
“We thank Parna Ngururrpa and their advisors at Central Desert Native Title Services for their assistance in reaching this point,” Hancock said.
“The West Arunta is one of Australia’s most exciting frontier exploration destinations and we look forward to further refining and adding to the exciting targets we have previously identified on the ground in advance of drilling.”