Sherwin Iron and the Northern Land Council have announced they have reached an agreement on the terms under which Sherwin may mine the Roper River Iron Ore Project.

 

The agreement was ratified following a full meeting of the NLC, and secures what Sherwin calls substantial benefits to the traditional owners and native title holders of the mine.

 

The Roper River Iron Ore Project, which is 500km south east of Darwin, has a current resource of 488 million tonnes. The project includes several major deposits including Hodgson Downs, Mount Fisher, Sherwin Creek, Mount Scott and Yumanji.

 

The NLC agreement is subject to Ministerial approval.

 

The Territory Minister for Mines and Energy, Willem Westra van Holthe, emphatically welcomed the decision, describing it as a ‘fantastic announcement for the Territory’.

 

“I am delighted to see indigenous employment targets in the agreement,” Mr Westra Van Holthe said.

 

Up to 200 people will be employed during construction of the mine, with 400 jobs created once fully operational. At least 200 million tonnes of ore will be produced over the mine life, including initial 40 million tonnes of high value Direct Shipping Ore, according to Sherwin.