Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) Advances North Stanmore After Securing Traditional Owner Agreement

Highlights

• Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) has secured a key agreement with the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation for the North Stanmore project.
• The agreement provides traditional owner consent and land access arrangements, supporting the mining licence pathway.
• Progress continues on the North Stanmore pre-feasibility study as the project advances toward development.

Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) has achieved a significant milestone for its North Stanmore heavy rare earths project in Western Australia after securing a key agreement with the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC).

The agreement, authorised by the Minangu Land Committee Common Law holders, provides traditional owner consent and establishes land access arrangements for the project. The development marks an important step in the native title process and supports the company’s pathway toward securing a mining licence.

The agreement reflects the ongoing engagement between Victory Metals and the Wajarri Yamaji People, highlighting a collaborative approach as the company advances one of Australia’s notable clay-hosted heavy rare earths projects.

What Does The Agreement Mean For North Stanmore?

The agreement provides a clear framework for land access and traditional owner engagement, creating an important foundation for future project development activities.

Securing traditional owner consent is a critical requirement within the mining approval process and is often considered a major milestone for resource projects seeking to progress toward production.

For Victory Metals, the agreement removes a key regulatory hurdle and strengthens the company’s position as it advances North Stanmore through technical studies and permitting activities.

The development also supports ongoing work associated with the pre-feasibility study, which remains on track for completion this month.

Management Highlights Project Progress

Victory Metals Chief Executive Officer Brendan Clark described the agreement as a significant achievement for the company and the project.

According to Clark, the company approached negotiations with a focus on diligence, respect, and constructive engagement with traditional owners throughout the process.

He acknowledged the contribution of the Minangu Land Committee Common Law holders and the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation in reaching the agreement and highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships as North Stanmore advances through future development stages.

The agreement establishes a framework for ongoing cooperation between the parties as project activities continue.

How Does North Stanmore Fit Into The Rare Earths Sector?

Located near Cue in Western Australia’s Mid West region, North Stanmore has emerged as a significant project within Australia’s growing rare earths sector.

The project is recognised as a clay-hosted heavy rare earths deposit and forms part of the broader effort to develop alternative sources of critical minerals outside dominant global supply chains.

Heavy rare earth elements play an important role in several advanced manufacturing industries, including defence technologies, renewable energy systems, and high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles and industrial applications.

As demand for critical minerals continues to attract global attention, projects such as North Stanmore are increasingly viewed as strategically important assets.

Why Are Heavy Rare Earths Attracting Attention?

Governments and industries across multiple jurisdictions continue seeking diversified supply chains for critical minerals.

Heavy rare earth elements are considered particularly important due to their applications in advanced technologies and their relatively limited global production base.

The United States and other Western economies have increased efforts to secure access to alternative rare earth supplies, creating opportunities for projects located within politically stable jurisdictions.

North Stanmore’s location in Western Australia positions it within one of the world’s leading mining regions, offering access to established infrastructure, mining expertise, and supportive regulatory frameworks.

Metallurgical Results Support Development Potential

Previous metallurgical test work has demonstrated encouraging outcomes for North Stanmore.

The project has shown the capability to produce a rare earth concentrate enriched with heavy rare earth elements, an attribute that differentiates it from many other rare earth deposits.

Heavy rare earth enrichment is often considered a valuable characteristic because these elements are generally associated with higher demand across specialised technology sectors.

The project’s metallurgical performance continues to form an important component of ongoing technical evaluations being completed through the pre-feasibility study.

International Interest Continues To Build

North Stanmore has also attracted attention through support mechanisms linked to critical mineral supply chain development.

Victory Metals previously announced a letter of intent from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, highlighting international interest in projects capable of contributing to diversified rare earth supply networks.

Such developments reflect broader global efforts to strengthen access to strategic minerals required across defence, energy transition, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The continued progression of North Stanmore may enhance its profile within these emerging supply chain initiatives.

What Comes Next For Victory Metals?

The company recently received acceptance into the United States Defense Industrial Base Consortium, a development that further strengthens the project's strategic positioning.

Membership within the consortium creates potential pathways for engagement with defence procurement organisations and programs focused on securing critical mineral supplies.

As governments seek reliable sources of strategic materials, projects capable of supplying heavy rare earth elements continue attracting increased interest.

Attention now turns toward completion of the North Stanmore pre-feasibility study, which is expected to provide further insight into development pathways, technical considerations, and future project planning.

With the traditional owner agreement now secured, Victory Metals has strengthened the foundations for advancing North Stanmore through the next stage of its development journey.