Hawk Resources Limited has received consent for a Mining Entry Permit for the Olympus scandium project in Western Australia from the state Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

The permit approval follows the execution of an Agreement for Mineral Exploration and the completion of a Cultural Heritage Survey with the Ngaanyatjarra Traditional Owners. The survey report has been issued, providing the heritage clearances required for on-ground exploration across the priority area.

Hawk entered into a binding heads of agreement on October 17, 2025, to secure an option to earn up to an 80% interest in the project. Access discussions with the Ngaanyatjarra Council began in January 2026, advancing through native title agreements and heritage surveys toward active exploration by August 2026.

Managing Director Scott Caithness said the approvals represented critical operational hurdles cleared for the West Musgrave asset.

“Obtaining the Mining Entry Permit and the Cultural Heritage Survey report marks major milestones for the Olympus scandium project. The MEP is a key prerequisite for the commencement of exploration and the Survey has provided the heritage clearances required to proceed with on-ground activity for notified exploration activities including soil and rock sampling, geophysical surveys and a programme of RAB drilling within the priority area.”

— Scott Caithness, Managing Director

The company has now submitted an application for Ministerial consent and a Programme of Work to the Department of Mining, Petroleum and Exploration. Hawk expects to receive final departmental approval and ministerial consent in September 2026.

“The application for Ministerial consent and approval of a Programme of Work has been submitted to the Department of Mining, Petroleum and Exploration. This PoW approval is the final government consent required and as the initial planned work on the project is low impact this approval is not expected to be a drawn out process and Hawk is making preparations to commence exploration on the ground in September in anticipation of the final approvals.”

— Scott Caithness, Managing Director

Initial exploration, consisting of soil and rock sampling, geophysical surveying and a rotary air blast drilling programme within an 80-square-kilometre priority zone, is scheduled to start in September. Historical exploration at Olympus identified a 7-kilometre by 4-kilometre soil anomaly grading over 500 parts per million scandium, alongside shallow historical drill intercepts reaching up to 11 metres at 934 parts per million scandium from surface.

Read the full announcement: Mining Entry Permit Approved for Olympus Scandium Project