Australia
Republic continues to support community and environmental projects in the Mareeba district.Environment
Republic announced an alliance with the Mareeba Wetland Foundation. With a donation of $7,500 Republic became a platinum sponsor of the Foundation. The Foundation manages the Mareeba Tropical Savannah and Wetland Reserve which protects over 5,000 acres of savannas and wetlands, providing a sanctuary for much of tropical Australia's savannah and wetland flora and fauna, and cultural heritage.In announcing the alliance with the Foundation's Gwyneth Nevard, Republic's Managing Director John Kelly said, "Having established the viability of prospects in Mareeba Shire we were keen to support local initiatives. The Mareeba Wetland project not only presented a golden opportunity for us to support a local organisation, but one with a growing national and international reputation in conservation."
Community
For the second year in succession Republic was a major sponsor of the Mareeba to Chillagoe Great Wheelbarrow Race. The race starts in Mareeba and traverses 149 km’s of road before finishing at Chillagoe. More than 150 individuals and 16 teams participate in the Race.Republic is also a proud member of the Mareeba Shire Chamber of Commerce and presented at an information evening in Mareeba to brief the community on the Company's progress towards mining.
Republic continues to look at economic and community based initiatives to assist the Indigenous communities of the Mareeba Shire. The Company believes that the success it has had in gaining native title access agreements is due to the very positive relationships that have been built-up quite quickly with the Northern Queensland Land Council, the Western Yalanji People and other indigenous groups, connected to the country in the Hodgkinson Basin where the Company is exploring.