Prominence Finalises Native Title Agreement to Advance 20,000 km² Gawler Hydrogen and Helium Expansion
Prominence Energy has reached a significant milestone in the expansion of its South Australian natural hydrogen and helium portfolio, finalising negotiations on an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation. The agreement supports the company's application for almost 20,000 square kilometres of additional exploration acreage within the Northern Hinge area of its flagship Gawler Project.
The agreement has been negotiated by Prominence's wholly owned subsidiaries, Cryptid Clean Energy Pty Ltd and Gehyra Holdings Pty Ltd, and will be executed with the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation. Once signed, the subsidiaries will continue working with the South Australian Government through the remaining approval process for Petroleum Exploration Licence Applications (PELAs) 566, 581, 752 and 753, covering a combined 19,888.84 square kilometres.
Prominence described the agreement as a landmark achievement following approximately four years of engagement with the Traditional Owners. The company believes it represents the first Native Title agreement successfully negotiated by a South Australian pure-play natural hydrogen and helium explorer, removing a major prerequisite for the licence award process.
The additional Northern Hinge acreage would substantially expand Prominence's South Australian portfolio and complements its existing Eyre Project. As shown in the portfolio map on page three of the announcement, the Northern Hinge applications significantly increase the company's exposure across the Gawler region, strengthening its district-scale exploration strategy.
The agreement also supports Prominence's previously announced pathway toward drilling in mid-2027. The Northern Hinge Project will progress alongside the Eyre Project through gravity and magnetic interpretation, prospective resource reviews, drilling engineering studies and detailed drill planning over the remainder of 2026. The company expects the Northern Hinge resource review to be completed by the end of September, following the Eyre Project review scheduled for August.
A revised drilling engineering and cost assessment is planned for October, with preliminary estimates indicating that approximately A$5 million could fund three exploration wells, or two wells together with additional seismic acquisition. Detailed drilling design is expected during November and December, while Prominence will also evaluate potential farm-out and strategic partnership opportunities as the projects mature.
Management stated that the company's current cash position is expected to fund the planned technical work throughout 2026.
Full press release can be found here.
