New agreement cements development of NT Wonarah Phosphate Project

Avenira Limited has marked a new milestone in the development of its wholly owned Wonarah Phosphate Project in the Northern Territory. 

Following the granting of two mining leases earlier this year, Avenira Limited has signed a Mining Agreement with the Arruwurra Aboriginal Corporation which enables the former to continue the development of the Wonarah Project with the support of the Arruwurra Members. 

“We are pleased to have reached agreement with the Arruwurra Aboriginal Corporation and pay tribute to Chairman Allen Punch and the board of the Arruwurra Aboriginal Corporation for the spirit in which the discussions have taken place. 

“We will continue to respect the land, tradition and culture of the Arruwurra Members whilst doing our best to share in the economic and social benefits of our investment on Arruwurra Lands. This is just the beginning of a strong sustainable partnership with Arruwurra Members and look forward to the community benefits that will be reaped from our ongoing success at Wonarah,” Avenira Limited Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brett Clark said. 

The Agreement will also deliver confidence to the Arruwurra Members regarding sustainable commercial outcomes as well as social benefits and cultural matters. 

In addition, the terms of the Agreement will provide a strong commitment to create mutual benefits while ensuring respect to traditional lands, activities, values and the rights of the Arruwurra Members. 

“We are pleased to have reached agreement with Avenira regarding the phosphate mining operation on our Lands. This represents the strong and mutually respectful relationship that has resulted from our partnering engagements. 

“In this agreement, we have developed a strong framework for the protection of our lands, and certainty that our members will fairly benefit from the mining work undertaken, including employment, training and the establishment of sustainable Arruwurra businesses, which support the mining operation. Each of these qualities are fundamental to building a solid long term relationship,” Arruwurra’s Chairman Allen Punch said. 

Project map (source: Avenira Limited)

The Wonarah Phosphate Project is located in the Barkly region. It will initially export phosphate rock and will later supply Avenira Limited’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) project within the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct. 

The two mining leases previously granted by the Northern Territory Government will enable Avenira Limited to extract bulk samples for testing. The company will then commence a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) operation if the testing is successful. 

“The Northern Territory has what it takes to be a thriving economy with world class mineral deposits, a strong agricultural sector, emerging information technology capabilities and strategic advantages as a location for trade and defence. 

“Increasing demand and the transition to renewable energy, battery storage and use of high technology products has resulted in global organisations looking to establish diversified, reliable and stable supply chains. 

“Creating jobs up and down the track, this project is the way future and what the Territory needs,” Minister for Mining and Industry Nicole Manison said. 

The Wonarah Project is estimated to initially create 25 jobs in the Barkly and increase to about 50 jobs once DSO operations begin. This builds on the initial 100 jobs projected to be created during the delivery of the first stage of the LFP facility – which is expected to increase to 1,000 jobs over time. 

The Project is also expected to generate more than US$4 billion in annual revenue once it is in full production. 

“Growing a $40 billion economy by 2030 requires reaching for new, innovative economic opportunities. 

“Projects are moving forward and the jobs will start flowing. It is important that we continue to diversify our economy and have support for all our regions. 

“With the potential to create over 1,000 jobs this project will benefit Territorians from the Top End to the Barkly with the manufacturing plant to be built in Darwin, which will exclusively source phosphate from the Wonarah Phosphate Project in the Barkly,” Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Avenira Limited (1, 2); Mining Magazine; Australian Mining