Heritage matters29 Nov 2023 10:06
Mining is anticipated to commence in 2023 once tenure is granted and all relevant regulatory approvals are obtained. Alien is currently finalizing a number of environmental baseline surveys including:
• Flora and vegetation assessment;
• Terrestrial short-range endemic invertebrate fauna survey;
• Subterranean fauna level 1 assessment;
• Terrestrial vertebrate fauna assessment;
• Hydrogeological assessment;
• Groundwater assessment; and
• Soil resource assessment and waste rock characterisation.
An ethnographic Aboriginal heritage survey was completed in the north-east corner of the exploration tenure (approximately 19 ha), in and around the area proposed for mining of the Sirius Extension in 2014. Survey report ID 200124, titled “Report of an Archaeological and Ethnographic Heritage Survey of Volta Mining’s Hamersley Iron Ore Project Area, Conducted with the Nyiyaparli Traditional Owners : March 2014 [TBD]”, the report authors being Ben Coles and Scott Chisholm. No heritage sites were identified in the heritage survey. The area is within the registered Native Title claim of the Nyiyaparli People (WC2005/006), administered by the Karlku Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC). As part of the Mining Lease and Miscellaneous Licence applications, the joint Tenement Applicants will execute a land access Native Title Agreement with KNAC