Nex Metals Explorations (ASX:NME) has agreed to acquire the East Scotia Gold Project in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields as the second project under its joint venture with the Wangkatja Tjungula Aboriginal Corporation (WTAC).
The acquisition covers three granted exploration licences totalling 133.41km² and prospecting licence P24/5496, which spans 169.35 hectares.
NME says the project overlies the northern extent of the Scotia–Kanowna Granodiorite and occupies the same lithological and structural sequence as the Golden Cities and Kanowna Belle mining complexes.
The incorporated joint venture entity, NME Wangkatja JV, will pay $100,000 plus a 2% net smelter return royalty. WTAC will fund the acquisition under the joint venture terms.
Of the cash consideration, 75% is payable upon completion and the remaining 25% once the tenements are transferred.
Completion remains subject to satisfactory due diligence and other investigations, which have begun. The formal royalty terms must also be agreed before completion.
Either party may terminate the agreement if the acquisition has not been completed by 31 December 2026.
Managing Director Ken Allen says East Scotia meets the venture’s criteria of strong geological fundamentals, favourable commercial terms, and the potential for efficient exploration.
“Its location within the same lithological and structural sequence that hosts both the Golden Cities and Kanowna Belle mining complexes makes it a compelling addition to our exploration portfolio,” Allen says.
The project is located approximately 60km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder along the Goldfields Highway. NME also reports that no modern exploration has been conducted across the ground since the early 2000s.
It is highlighted that licences are in good standing, although ground-disturbing work remains subject to statutory approvals. The company says initial fieldwork is expected to include auger geochemistry and geological reconnaissance, followed by rotary air blast and aircore drilling to validate historical data and define exploration targets.
Nex Metals Explorations and WTAC established the joint venture in May 2026. Its other project, West Point Copper-Gold, remains subject to the grant of its tenement application. The parties also work together on the Kookynie Tailings Project under a separate profit-sharing and empowerment agreement.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Nex Metals Explorations
