Speewah Project Faces Cultural and Environmental Challenges Amid Road Revisions
Tivan Limited has made significant progress on a revised access road for its Speewah Fluorite Project, balancing infrastructure needs with cultural heritage preservation. The company also secured key native title agreements and regulatory approvals supporting its feasibility study and joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation.
- Revised 37km access road avoids culturally sensitive Liyama Spring and Gorge
- New miscellaneous licences applied for covering revised road alignment
- Resourcing Protocol Agreements signed with native title holders for Indigenous Land Use Agreement negotiations
- Rehabilitation plans underway for existing access tracks through culturally significant sites
- Supplementary drilling program approved, supporting ongoing feasibility study
Balancing Development and Cultural Respect
Tivan Limited (ASX, TVN) has taken a thoughtful approach to advancing its Speewah Fluorite Project in Western Australia's Kimberley region by revising its access road plans to respect Indigenous cultural heritage. The company’s new 37-kilometre road alignment is notably shorter than the existing 47-kilometre track and strategically avoids the culturally significant Liyama Spring and Liyama Gorge areas, which the original route traversed.
This adjustment follows extensive consultation with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders, facilitated by the Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. Tivan’s engagement reflects a commitment to culturally sensitive infrastructure development, aiming to minimise impacts on the local Aboriginal Woolah Community near Doon Doon.
Securing Licences and Agreements
To support the revised access road, Tivan has applied for three new Miscellaneous Licences covering the new route sections not included in existing permits. The company has also resolved all Native Title Act objections related to these applications, clearing a significant regulatory hurdle.
Crucially, Tivan has executed Resourcing Protocol Agreements with the Yurriyangem Taam Aboriginal Corporation and the Nganjuwarr Native Title Claim Group. These agreements establish frameworks and funding for negotiating Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs), ensuring Free, Prior and Informed Consent processes are respected. Negotiations are scheduled to culminate in an authorisation meeting by December 2025.
Environmental and Community Commitments
Beyond planning new infrastructure, Tivan is proactively advancing rehabilitation plans for the existing access tracks that pass through Liyama Spring and Liyama Gorge. The company is collaborating with specialists in land rehabilitation and erosion control to develop culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable restoration proposals. This initiative aims to address community concerns and deliver positive outcomes at sites of cultural significance once the project becomes operational.
Supporting Project Development
Alongside infrastructure and community engagement progress, Tivan has received approval for a supplementary drilling program, expanding its exploration efforts with up to 335 drill holes planned. This supports the ongoing Feasibility Study, which aims to establish Australia’s first fluorite mining and processing operation, in joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation.
Executive Chairman Grant Wilson emphasised the company’s dedication to respectful collaboration with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders, highlighting the importance of cultural sensitivity in the project’s development lifecycle. The timely resolution of access and heritage matters positions Tivan well as it advances towards project execution.
Bottom Line?
Tivan’s culturally attuned access road planning and native title agreements mark a pivotal step toward unlocking Speewah’s potential while respecting Indigenous heritage.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the Indigenous Land Use Agreement negotiations influence the project timeline?
- What are the anticipated costs and construction timelines for the revised access road?
- How will rehabilitation efforts at Liyama Spring and Gorge be monitored and maintained long term?
