Alien Metals Limited (LON:UFO), a company focused on the exploration and development of the Hancock iron ore Project and the Pinderi Hills project in Western Australia, has advised that the Mining Lease for the Hancock Project has been granted by the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Overview
The Department of Mines has on 18 April 2024 granted the Mining Lease (M47/1633) for the Hancock Project to Alien Metals, representing a key milestone on the pathway towards development. This gives security of tenure for a 21-year term through to 17 April 2045.
The Company, as previously announced, has now completed the following commitments and key milestones:
· The execution of Heritage Agreements with the Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC associated with two Exploration Licences and one Miscellaneous Licence for the Hancock Project.
· The grant of a Miscellaneous Licence provides the Company necessary tenure to construct the essential infrastructure (subject to a Final Investment Decision) for site access from the Great Northern Highway to the proposed mine site.
· Entered into a conditional, non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Pilbara Ports to access its Utah Bulk Handling Facility, a multiuser berth in Port Hedland. The MoU is an important step in securing the formal commitment from Pilbara Ports to export iron ore produced from the Company’s Hancock Project.
· The signing of a Mining Agreement with KNAC for the Hancock Project.
· Completion of a Development Study confirming robust project economics and prospectivity, with extensive untested stratigraphic trends for additional iron ore deposits. Key highlights of the study were outlined in the announcement of 8 February 2024.
· Grant of the Mining Lease (M47/1633) for the Hancock Project.
Guy Robertson, Alien Metals Executive Director, commented:
“This is a further significant step on the pathway to production for the Hancock Project. The Company has made significant progress and is now in discussion with various parties regarding the required development funding. The technical team is currently focused on mining proposal submission and environmental assessment. It continues to assess strategies for increasing the existing resources and reserves which is expected to significantly increase the value of the project. In addition, the Company will proceed with necessary heritage clearances.”
