WORKING WITH INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

As part of its platform, the Chamber has a strong working commitment with Indigenous Australians.

Since 1999 the Chamber, as the peak body representing the wider resources industry, has been a party to the State Government initiative negotiating Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs),  that has contributed to the recent increase in minerals exploration within the State.  The focus of this group is now on the resolution of native title claims.  www.sanativetitleresolution.com.au

Partners to these agreements are the Chamber, SA Native Title Services (SANTS),  the relevant Aboriginal Claim groups and the State.  Minerals exploration agreements are currently in place with the Antakarinja, the Arubunna and the Gawler Ranges claim groups with several  more in negotiation.  These agreements are pre-negotiated and include considerations about rights, obligations, expectations and costs.  Copies of the agreements can be obtained from Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA), www.pir.sa.gov.au
 

These agreements are structured in such a way as to bring significant benefits into Aboriginal communities.  They not only improve on the benefits that may come under the current regimes but, with improved access to land, increase the possibility of community benefits that might derive from a discovery.  Not only would a discovery generate a highly beneficial cash flow for the advantage of the whole community, but would generate opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.

To this end, the industry is currently working with government and non-government agencies to generate long-lasting and sustainable change for the communities in which the industry works.  As few individual mining companies have the capacity to make such wide reaching change in their own right, a great deal of effort is being put into working collaboratively to create an impact for enduring change for the benefit of all Indigenous  South Australians to ensure that they share in the well-being of the State.

For further information contact Stephanie Walker , Director, Indigenous Relations on (08) 8202 9999 or at swalker@sacome.org.au

South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy

Mines and Energy House

290 Glen Osmond Road

Fullarton SA 5063

T +61 8 8202 9999

www.sacome.org.au