On the 15th May 2026, WTAC successfully negotiated and executed a Native Title Mining Agreement with Saturn Metals that balances the protection of Nyalpa Pirniku cultural heritage and Country with meaningful economic opportunities for its people. The agreement provides a pathway for royalties, jobs, business opportunities and long-term partnership benefits while ensuring WTAC retains a central role in protecting culturally significant areas and guiding the responsible development of the Apollo Hill Gold Project.
Key points of this agreement detailed out in the Saturn Metal's ASX announcement:
• jointly developed under the guidance of the WTAC negotiation team and was formally authorised by the Nyalpa Pirniku native title holders. The signing of the agreement supports the grant of Apollo Hill Mining Lease 31/496, and other future tenements, and paves the way for completion of permitting for the development of the Mining Project.
• Reflects commercial terms standard for gold mining projects in Western Australia, including milestone payments, along with annual production-based royalties on gold once mining operations commence.
• Incorporates cultural heritage protection and management provisions, supporting a cooperative and responsible working relationship as the Project advances.
• Importantly, outlines opportunities for employment and proactive business participation, seeking to ensure economic benefits for the Nyalpa Pirniku Native Title Holders.
• Overall, establishes a clear and long-term framework for collaboration between Saturn and WTAC throughout the exploration, development and operational stages of the Apollo Hill Project.
Saturn’s Managing Director, Ian Bamborough, commented:
“After building a long-term successful relationship with the Nyalpa Pirniku People at Apollo Hill, we are delighted, in conjunction with their representative body, the Wangkatja Tjungula Aboriginal Corporation to be moving the Project through the final stages of development, and towards production. We look forward to working closely with the WTAC’s Board and Members, and to forging a strong and mutually beneficial relationship well into the future.”
David Canning, WTAC Chairman, commented:
“WTAC and the Nyalpa Pirniku native title holders are pleased to be entering into a long-term partnering with Saturn under the umbrella of a protective agreement. WTAC and our People have cultural duties to look after our Country, our Burna, including Lake Raeside the place of an important Dreaming Story and registered Aboriginal sacred site where much of the project is located. We trust that Saturn, with our help, will work with us to fulfill our cultural obligations to Burna, including the lake, and to our Ancestors and the current and future generations of our People. The jobs and contracts that will be offered under the agreement are also very important to the economic future and self-determination of our People. The negotiation for the agreement was robust, with both negotiation teams putting forward their views, and the agreement is strong and we look forward to the future relationship with Saturn, always working together in good faith.”
A copy of the full announcement is available online.
