Lunnon Metals (ASX:LM8) and the Ngadju Partnership – A landmark agreement in Kambalda mining
January 9, 2025The convergence of progress and preservation is exemplified in Lunnon Metals (ASX:LM8) recent mining agreement with the Ngadju Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (NNTAC).
Announced on 9 January 2025, this agreement underpins a new model for balancing development with cultural respect and sustainability, positioning Lunnon Metals as a standout operator in Western Australia’s resource-rich Kambalda region.
After over three years of engagement, this agreement establishes a framework ensuring that the Ngadju People, as traditional custodians of the land, benefit directly from the development of Lunnon’s Kambalda Gold & Nickel Project (KGNP).
It provides for royalties linked to future production, alongside funding for education, cultural awareness, and conservation initiatives.
The mining licences’ renewal, extending beyond December 2025, reflects the deal’s robust and forward-looking nature.
Managing Director Edmund Ainscough described the agreement as a mutual commitment, stating:
“This Agreement has taken over three years to finalise but embodies a shared commitment with the Ngadju People to progress our gold and nickel portfolio towards development and potential future production.”
Lunnon Metals proactive engagement, despite their tenements predating native title requirements, highlights both compliance and a genuine commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.
The agreement also addresses heritage approvals, recognising Kambalda’s extensive mining history while providing a modernised framework for exploration and development.
A Legacy of Mining Excellence
Kambalda, a globally recognised hub for nickel and gold, has yielded over 1.6 million tonnes of nickel and 15 million ounces of gold since its discovery in 1966.
Within this historic district, Lunnon’s KGNP boasts 47 square kilometres of tenements, offering both legacy and opportunity.
The company’s strategic partnership with Gold Fields, a major shareholder, enhances its access to world-class expertise and infrastructure.
The KGNP’s Foster-Baker and Silver Lake-Fisher project areas hold significant untapped potential, supported by extensive mineral resource evaluations.
Despite the temporary suspension of BHP Nickel West’s Kambalda Concentrator, the project’s long-term viability remains strong, with Lunnon Metals actively exploring alternative processing options.
Local Content Commitment
Underpinning its operations, Lunnon Metals adheres to a “Local Content Policy” that prioritises the Eastern Goldfields region. In FY2023, over 57% of expenditure was local, reaffirming the company’s role as a key economic driver in the area.
This holistic approach, integrating local economic benefits with cultural respect and environmental stewardship, sets Lunnon Metals apart in an industry often criticised for a narrow focus on profit.
The company’s ability to align stakeholder interests—whether traditional landowners, investors, or the local community—positions it as a progressive force in Australian mining.
As Ainscough aptly summarised,
“Lunnon Metals looks forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Ngadju People as it works to progress the emerging and exciting gold potential of its tenements.”
This agreement could become a blueprint for other miners, proving that collaboration and respect can coexist with resource development.
For investors, it’s a compelling narrative of responsible growth underpinned by solid fundamentals.
For the Ngadju People, it’s an affirmation of their enduring connection to the land—a partnership built to last.
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