DLA Piper advises OZ Minerals on land access agreement for A$1.7b West Musgrave Copper-Nickel Project

Global law firm DLA Piper is pleased to have advised OZ Minerals on its agreement with the Ngaanyatjarra People for the development of the A$1.7billion West Musgrave Copper-Nickel Mining Project in Western Australia.

“OZ Minerals and the Ngaanyatjarra People have worked hard over a number of years to establish mutual understanding and shared objectives and are to be congratulated on this significant achievement,” said Rhys Davies, Partner and International Sustainability & ESG Lead at DLA Piper.

The project is proposed to be one of the world’s largest, lowest cost, lowest emissions copper-nickel mining projects, with 80% of power to be sourced from wind and solar and a planned transition to an electric haulage fleet.

“The project will create approximately 1,500 jobs during construction and approximately 400 jobs in ongoing operations,” Rhys said.

After more than five years of collaboration between OZ Minerals and the Ngaanyatjarra People, the signing of the agreement is an important step in facilitating a long-term relationship which will generate value for the community, create jobs and protect the land, cultural heritage and the environment and ensure careful management of social and other impacts.

“The agreement records the free, prior and informed consent of the Ngaanyatjarra People to the development of the West Musgrave Project and provides a basis for maintaining that consent through the life of a project intended to responsibly develop mineral resources critical to the electrification and decarbonisation transition, including by minimising its own emissions,” Rhys added.

The deal team was led by Rhys Davies with contributions from Katherine Perincek (Special Counsel), Matthew Roberts (Senior Associate), Mariko Hunt (Solicitor) and Bianca Lambert (Graduate).