Managing Director Alex Dorsch told the ASX that buying the land was “an important milestone and significant step for the potential development of a future mining operation”.

The farms cover a total of nearly 1000ha in the Keating Road area – about 30km west of the Toodyay townsite – where Chalice has drilled 200 holes for nickel, copper cobalt and Platinum Group Elements (PGEs).

Rarer than gold

PGEs include palladium which is 30 times rarer than gold and worth 40 per cent more.
Palladium is a key green energy ingredient in hydrogen fuel cells and solar panels.

It is also widely used in catalytic converters to cut vehicle emissions in petrol engines.
An acute shortage of the precious metal drove world prices to record highs this year and stood last month at $3100 an ounce.

Other clean energy metals found at Julimar – platinum, nickel, copper and cobalt – are also “critical metals for electric vehicles and other energy storage applications”.

Perth-based Chalice – now valued at more than $1.1 billion since its initial Julimar discovery in March – says nickel, copper, cobalt and PGEs are extremely rare.
The combination of metals discovered at Julimar is “unique for Australia”.

“The suite of metals is considered critical and, in some cases, strategically important for the transition of the energy and transport sectors from fossil fuels and internal combustion engines to renewable resources in electric, hydrogen and hybrid fuel cell vehicles,” a Chalice spokesperson said.

Mr Dorsch last month described the latest drilling results as “exceptional”, saying “it is clear that Julimar is emerging as a globally significant deposit of critical metals in Western Australia”.

He told The Herald in April that the Julimar ore body could be a “sizeable deposit of hundreds of millions of tonnes”.

The ‘Gonneville’ discovery – named after a French geologist who helped peg the original Chalice claim – extends north into the Julimar State Forest where the company is seeking State Government approval to start low-impact soil sampling.

Julimar forest

Aerial surveys suggest Julimar State Forest is at least as rich in the same rare precious metals as the Keating Road site.

A Chalice spokesperson said that because the project was at “such an early stage, we do not know how much water would be required” if mining occurs.

“Chalice appreciates how critically important water is to the region and takes its environmental responsibilities seriously,” the spokesperson said.

“Any potential mining activity in Western Australia is strictly governed by mining and environmental laws.”

The company says it expects to know by the middle of next year if a Julimar mine is economically viable.

Chalice currently has about 25-30 staff working in mainly geological and field roles at the Keating Road site.

“As our drilling advances, we are hopeful that these numbers will steadily increase with the company remaining strongly committed to supporting local businesses and the local community wherever possible,” the spokesperson said.

“The Julimar project has the potential to deliver significant jobs, skills and economic diversification to the Wheatbelt region.

“As the project advances, so will our scope to provide employment, jobs and training opportunities and to invest in positive community initiatives.

Chalice donated $5000 to this year’s Toodyay Christmas Street Party after the local chamber of commerce and industry pulled out due to pandemic uncertainty.

“We are committed to being part of the local community by supporting local events, facilities and businesses wherever possible,” Chalice said.

I’m also a member of the Toodyay family, which I’m very proud to say.

To bring traditional meaning to such an occasion, I would like to say a few words in language and then speak in English.

Kya wandjo djiba wari kwadak ngyn wakkining mooditj wirn – hello and welcome to this beautiful swimming pool.

I call on the good spirits of my ancestors to allow safe passage and enjoyment to this place.

I would like to pay deep respect to my elders both past and present.

A long time ago Aboriginal people walked this land, up and down the Avon valley, hunting, fishing, swimming and gathering food from this beautiful place we call Dudja or place of mist.

This land has significant meaning to many Aboriginal families because we don’t own the land – we belong to the land for the land is our mother.

Ballardong boodja is the traditional and ancient homeland of my people, being the true custodians and cultural keepers of the land on which we are meeting today.

That in itself should always be respected.

I thank you for listening and acknowledging my welcome to you on behalf of my people.

I leave you with this: Nitja Ballardong, boodja noonak yaakin – this is Ballardong land on which you are standing.

She was supported by Crs Paula Greenway, Brian Rayner and Mick McKeown, and opposed by Shire President Rosemary Madacsi, Deputy President Beth Ruthven and Crs Phil Hart and Susan Pearce (Cr Ben Bell absent on leave).

The 4-4 deadlock was broken when President Madacsi used her casting vote to defeat Cr Chitty’s motion 5-4.

Crs Chitty, Greenway and McKeown then used local government law to demand a special council meeting at 7pm.

Cr Chitty said she had sought “a little bit of outside advice” and that “if we don’t have an executed contract, we have left ourselves a little bit exposed as a council and an organisation”.

She said she had obtained verbal advice from “an ex-lawyer who hasn’t practised for quite some time” and WA Local Government Association Governance Manager James McGovern.

Without a contract, we leave ourselves wide open,” Cr Chitty said.

“To me that rings alarm bells – the risk is if someone hurts themselves seriously … there’s a huge risk without a contract.”

Both she and Cr Greenway said they discovered there was no signed contract with new venue manager Clublinks on the weekend of November 21 when the shire’s new $14 million recreation centre was officially opened.

‘Gobsmacked’

“I also am gobsmacked,” Cr Greenway said.

It was a “classic example” of councillors not being informed, she said.

President Madacsi asked Cr Greenway to withdraw her “subjective” comments.

Cr Greenway refused, and President Madacsi issued her with a formal caution.

Cr McKeown said the lack of a signed contract meant it was “not at all clear” who was responsible for public liability and workers compensation insurance at the site.

He said councillors had agreed to the essential terms for a contract on September 22 and the pool had been open for five weeks.

Cr McKeown asked why it had taken so long for the contract to be finalised.
“Who bears responsibility if an accident happens on that site?” Cr McKeown asked.

“If we haven’t got a contract, should those people be there?

“Should the site actually be open?”

Shire CEO Suzie Haslehurst said there was “clear legal intent” of an implied contract based on documented evidence of the essential terms.

“We have a clear letter of intent to enter into the contract,” she said.

‘Hair’s breadth’

She said the contract was within a “hair’s breadth” of being signed after “a bit of pushback” about the parties’ maintenance roles and responsibilities.

Both parties had sought legal advice.

“It’s a brand new site, and really tough to work out what’s going to be needed – that has been the major hold-up,” Ms Haslehurst said.

“The risks are actually being borne by Clublinks at the moment.

“They have in place public liability insurance and the facility itself is insured by the shire.”

Councillors voted 5-3 for Cr Chitty’s motion, seconded by Cr Greenway, that a contract be signed within eight days.

They were joined by Crs McKeown, Rayner and Pearce, and opposed by Crs Madacsi, Ruthven and Hart.

The contract was signed four working days later on Monday November 30.