Classic Minerals Files Supreme Court Action Over 80% Forrestania Gold Rights

Legal Battle to Cement Ownership Stakes

Classic Minerals Limited (ASX:CLZ) has escalated its legal fight over the Forrestania Gold Project by initiating Supreme Court proceedings in Western Australia. The company seeks a declaratory judgment confirming it holds an 80% beneficial interest in the gold-bearing ore rights across the Forrestania tenements, including the critical mining lease M77/1310, home to the Lady Ada and Lady Magdalene deposits.

This move follows Classic’s formal Decision to Mine notice issued on 27 May 2026, underscoring the urgency for legal certainty as the company pushes towards project development. The court action aims to validate Classic’s claims that these gold rights were validly assigned through a documented chain of agreements dating back to a 2015 Memorandum of Understanding with Hyden Project Holdings (HPH).

Substantial Gold Resource Under Dispute

The Forrestania Gold Project boasts a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate of 6.95 million tonnes at 1.33 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 297,579 ounces. The Lady Ada and Lady Magdalene deposits represent the bulk of this resource, with mining lease M77/1310 officially granted in May 2024, marking Forrestania as an advanced-stage gold development asset.

Classic has actively advanced the project since 2017 through exploration and technical studies, reinforcing its position as the primary beneficiary of the gold rights. The company has also lodged registered caveats on the relevant tenements, which remain recorded with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, providing a legal shield pending court resolution.

Complex Chain of Assignments Underpinning Claim

Classic’s asserted 80% interest traces back to a 2015 agreement with Reed Exploration Pty Ltd, a subsidiary that underwent several name changes, from NeoMetals Limited to Hannans Limited, and finally Redvium Limited. Subsequent announcements by these entities consistently recognised Classic’s 80% beneficial interest, with Hannans explicitly referring to Classic as its joint venture partner in 2017.

More recently, Redvium confirmed in a 2024 ASX announcement that Classic would retain its 80% gold rights despite corporate changes involving Viridian Capital and Forrestania Resources Limited. The current legal proceedings seek the court’s authoritative confirmation that these rights remain valid and enforceable despite the expiration of the original Memorandum of Understanding.

Parallel Legal Proceedings and Market Implications

The current case, CIV 1821 of 2026, is separate from an ongoing Supreme Court matter (CIV 1381 of 2025) where Classic seeks specific performance of a Tenement Sale Agreement that could vest full ownership of Forrestania tenements and gold rights in Classic. Together, these proceedings highlight the complex legal landscape Classic must navigate to secure its stake.

Classic’s chairman John Lester emphasised the importance of these proceedings, stating the company remains focused on protecting shareholder value and advancing Forrestania towards development. The legal clarity sought could have significant implications for the project’s future and investor confidence.

Classic’s assertive legal strategy aligns with its recent operational steps, including the formal mining decision and resource advancement, positioning the company to capitalise on Forrestania’s substantial gold potential once ownership issues are resolved. The outcome of these court actions will be pivotal in determining control over one of Western Australia’s promising gold assets.