brockman signs landmark native title

 
ASX Release 1 October 2008
BROCKMAN SIGNS LANDMARK NATIVE TITLE MINING AGREEMENT FOR MARILLANA PROJECT
KEY AGREEMENT ENABLES IRON ORE MINING TO PROCEED AT MARILLANA
Western Australian iron ore company, Brockman Resources Limited (ASX: BRM – “Brockman”) is pleased to announce that it has signed a landmark Native Title Agreement covering its 100%-owned Marillana Iron Ore Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia following extensive negotiations with the Martu Idja Banyjima (MIB) native title claim group. The agreement will facilitate the mining of iron ore from the Marillana Project, where initial production is targeted to commence in late 2009.
Brockman’s Managing Director, Mr Wayne Richards, said: “We commenced discussions with the MIB people approximately twelve months ago and during that time I believe we have built a strong relationship based on trust and understanding which forms the basis of today’s agreement. It has been a very “open” and rewarding process and I know there is a genuine relationship between the MIB people and Brockman employees.”
“The agreement addresses the MIB people’s concerns regarding the management of Cultural Heritage and Protection of the lands and environment on which the project will be operated, as well as providing MIB with opportunities to participate in the Project through employment, training and contracting opportunities,” he continued. “This agreement is a real “win-win” for both parties and I am looking forward to working with the MIB people as key stakeholders in the successful development of the Marillana Project.”
Mr Maitland Parker, an elder of the MIB native title claim group, said: “We are pleased to have signed this important agreement with Brockman Resources and we hope to have a longstanding working relationship with Brockman for many years to come. The agreement enshrines key principles for the protection of the environment and lands and sites of importance to us in the vicinity of the proposed Marillana Iron Ore Project. Importantly, this agreement will ensure that our people have the opportunity to benefit from the opportunities created by this Project through employment, training and contracting.
The Board of Brockman Resources travelled to the local community of Youngaleena in the Pilbara district last month to meet with the Working Group of the MIB native title claim group. “This was a great opportunity to meet and speak with family members of the MIB people”, Mr Richards said.
“The Marillana Project covers two Native Title claim areas and we are confident of reaching agreement with the other native title claim group in the near future following the signing of this first agreement,” Mr Richards added,
The Marillana Project, which is located 100km north-west of Newman in the Pilbara region, is a substantial new iron ore project which is moving towards initial production in 2009. Brockman recently announced a Mineral Resource upgrade to 1.6 billion tonnes of iron ore (DSO and beneficiation feed) at Marillana, which demonstrates the potential of the Marillana Project to support greatly expanded production in the future at a long-term production level of 15-25Mtpa.
The revised resource estimate follows the confirmation that Brockman had secured a major infrastructure breakthrough, with the Western Australian State Government confirming the reservation of two new multi-user berths in the Port Hedland inner harbour for the North West Iron Ore Alliance – of which Brockman is a founding member.
 
It is expected that the two berths and associated port infrastructure may be operational as early as 2012, which would coincide with the planned Stage 2 ramp up in production at Marillana of potentially 15 to 25 million tonnes of iron ore per annum in 2012.
Brockman recently completed a successful capital raising of A$112.5 million. These funds will be utilised to fast track the Marillana Project into first ore production.
Brockman is currently finalising a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) on the Marillana Project, which is aimed at achieving first ore production through a 2Mtpa mining, trucking and rail operation commencing in late 2009.
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