After more than seven years of relationship-building, Toro signed an agreement with the Wiluna People during a community meeting in Wiluna.

The objectives of the agreement are to further strengthen the relationship between the two parties, ensure minimal environmental impacts, keep the traditional owners informed, and provide compensation and funding to the native title holders.

Toro managing director Dr Vanessa Guthrie said the agreement was an important step in the continued progress of the project.

“Throughout this process, Toro has provided the Wiluna People with the means to secure their own independent advice about the issues of greatest importance to them,” she said.

“As a result, they have reached a position where they can give full and informed consent to Toro’s development proposals on their land.”

Toro is completing further work on the fully permitted Wiluna project to deliver a revised definitive feasibility study to improve economics.

Meanwhile, Vimy’s Mulga Rock project north of Kalgoorlie took another positive step with the Environmental Protection Authority ruling that the company’s response to submissions was acceptable.

It means the proposal for the project can now be considered by the EPA, which Vimy said was likely to occur this month.

The EPA is expected to publish a formal recommendation to Environment Minister Albert Jacob next month.

Vimy’s DFS is due to be completed early next year.

Toro shares rose 11% to 5c, while Vimy shares were unchanged at 30c.