How Carnavale’s Native Title Deal Unlocks Kookynie Gold Project Potential

A Milestone for Kookynie Gold Project

Carnavale Resources Ltd (ASX, CAV), alongside Western Resources Ltd, has reached a significant milestone by signing a Native Title Mining and Heritage Agreement with the Wangkatja Tjungula Aboriginal Corporation (WTAC), representing the Nyalpa Pirniku native title holders. This agreement is a critical step toward securing the mining lease M40/362, which covers the Kookynie Gold Project located approximately 60km south of Leonora in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields.

The signing marks the culmination of respectful, good-faith negotiations aimed at fostering a cooperative and responsible partnership between the mining companies and the traditional owners of the land. It sets a clear framework for collaboration throughout the exploration, development, and operational phases of the project.

Cultural Heritage and Community Benefits

Central to the agreement is an Aboriginal Heritage Protocol designed to protect and manage the cultural values within the project area. This protocol ensures compliance with state heritage and environmental legislation, reflecting a commitment to respect and safeguard the Nyalpa Pirniku people’s cultural heritage.

Beyond cultural considerations, the agreement outlines tangible benefits for the Nyalpa Pirniku community, including employment and contracting opportunities. It also establishes milestone payments linked to key project approvals and a royalty-based payment structure once gold production commences, providing a long-term economic interest for the traditional owners.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

The agreement arrives as Carnavale advances a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for the Kookynie Gold Project, a crucial phase that will determine the project's economic viability and pave the way for development. The native title agreement removes a significant regulatory and social governance barrier, positioning the project for smoother progression toward mining lease grant and eventual production.

Company leaders expressed optimism about the partnership. Carnavale’s CEO Humphrey Hale highlighted the importance of the relationship with the Nyalpa Pirniku people, emphasizing shared responsibilities and mutual respect. WTAC Chairman David Canning underscored the agreement as a foundation for ongoing trust, transparency, and collaboration.

As the project moves forward, this agreement sets a precedent for how mining ventures can engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities, balancing economic development with cultural preservation.