Novo inks heritage agreement in West Pilbara

TSX-listed conglomerate gold explorer, Novo Resources, has inked an important heritage agreement with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, or “YAC”, that covers a total of 1,492 square kilometres of country across a substantial portion of the company’s Pilbara exploration play. The agreement facilitates and potentially expedites the process of exploration.

Director and CEO of Novo, Rob Humphryson, said: “We are delighted with the efficiency in which YAC have engaged with Novo to execute this Agreement, which we understand is due in part to the trust earned through Novo’s reputation for responsible and respectful land care and community engagement practices.”

Novo’s YAC agreement covers 28 of its tenements across the Pilbara and complements the existing 2018 heritage agreement with Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation that covers over 6,645sqkm of ground across the West Pilbara.

Having the heritage agreements in place also means that the process of granting new exploration tenements will be smoother for Novo, with applications sometimes taking up to 12 months’ worth of discussion with aboriginal claimant groups.

Novo’s native title agreements are not be overstated – they allow the company to jump a very important hurdle that can sometimes be a showstopper for others.

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