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Issue # 1412  27 May 2009
Traditional owners disappointed with McArthur River mine decision
Traditional owner from Borroloola in the Northern Territory have expressed disappointment with a decision by the Australian government to give final approval divert the McArthur River for a mine expansion.
National Land Council (NLC) chief executive Kim Hill said that traditional owners are disappointed with the announcement by the federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to approve the expansion of the McArthur River mine, near Barrolool.
However, the NLC welcomed new stringent environmental monitoring requirements on McArthur River Mining (MRM) and Minister Garrett’s recommendation that MRM pursue “more active engagement with local stakeholder, including Traditional owners”
Mr Hill said that the traditional owners are deeply disappointed that Minister Garrett is giving the go-ahead for a diversion of the McArthur River in order for Swiss mining company Xstrata to expand its zinc mining operations.
“There has never been a negotiated agreement between the mining company and traditional owners, and a workable outcome would be the development of an agreement that would provide tangible benefits to local Aboriginal people.”
Mr Hill said traditional owners would obtain legal advice regarding the decision, and as to possible avenues for compensation.
Traditional owners have had numerous cultural and environmental concerns about the mine’s impact on marine life in the McArthur River and offshore, and important cultural sites, Mr Hill said.
The NLC has called on McArthur River Mining to negotiate an agreement with traditional owners, and calls on the Northern Territory government to mandate provisions to ensure all mining companies make public their Mining Management Plan, so that the environmental impact of mining operations is known to the local community.
The decision follows a Federal Court ruling in December 2008 forcing Xstrata to close the mine because the previous environment minister’s approval for the mine’s expansion did not take into account the impact on threatened species and migratory birds.
Land Rights News 
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