Progress made in talks with miners 

At a meeting held in Kalgoorlie, miners representing a substantial proportion of north-west Goldfields mineral tenement holders and the Koara claimants agreed to have further meetings to discuss the way forward.

Western Mining Resources and Sons of Gwalia were among the miners present at the meeting set up by the Tribunal.

"It's encouraging to see miners and native title claimants prepared to talk and progress issues," Mr Lee said.

"This marks an important step along the way to agreement which will see tenements granted in good time while native title interests are protected."

Mr Ted Coomanoo Evans lodged the Koara native title application over land around Leonora in December 1994.

The Tribunal's mediation meetings aim to help parties reach agreement on native title and how it might coexist with other interests.