McArthur River Mine and GYGM sign historic Cultural Heritage Management Agreement

Joint media release
Borroloola, Northern Territory

McArthur River Mine (MRM) and the Gudanji Yanyuwa Garrwa Marra Aboriginal Corporation (GYGM) have signed a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA). 

Building on the landmark Cooperation Agreement signed in April 2025 between MRM and GYGM, the CHMA cements a shared commitment to recognise, respect and manage cultural heritage ensuring culture and mining can coexist responsibly.

“Since the mine started 30 years ago, we have been seeking an agreement about the management of our cultural heritage. Now we have this agreement we finally get to have a say,” GYGM Executive Officer Nicholas Fitzpatrick said. 

“In our culture, we have an obligation to look after our sites, they mean a lot to our people. When we are blocked from that, it causes us pain and trauma for generations. Now we can start to address concerns from the past and honour our old people who have been fighting for our rights from the beginning.”

MRM General Manager, Mark Furlotte, said “MRM strives to protect cultural heritage as a core part of how we operate. This agreement formalises that commitment to work together in partnership with GYGM to manage cultural heritage for future generations."

The agreement also:

• Embeds the role of Traditional Owners in identifying and managing cultural heritage.
• Outlines clear processes for consultation, protection, and decision-making.
• Demonstrates MRM’s commitment to openness through transparent and respectful cultural heritage management.

Mr Fitzpatrick said “The days of not involving Traditional Owners in decisions about our country need to be put behind us. The Northern Territory has strong laws to protect sacred sites, but this agreement protects all the cultural heritage values of country and involves Traditional Owners in day-to-day management of country.”

Importantly, the CHMA lays the groundwork for a broader Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA), ensuring culture, community, and economic outcomes are balanced over the life of the mine.

This agreement builds on MRM’s support in helping to establish and fund GYGM through the Cooperation Agreement — a tangible example of the mine’s dedication to building strong, long-term relationships with Traditional Owners.

For further information, please contact:

GYGM Media

Nicholas Fitzpatrick
m: +61 447 205 187
e: Nicholas Fitzpatrick

MRM Media

Amanda Smith
m: +61 460 304 775
e: Amanda Smith

Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa

Notes for editors

About Gudanji Yanyuwa Garrwa Marra Aboriginal Corporation

Gudanji Yanyuwa Garrwa Marra Aboriginal Corporation (GYGM) is a Traditional Owner led organisation based in Borroloola, whose mission is protection of culture, land rights and country. Traditional Owners in the Borroloola region have established GYGM to provide representation for the whole community. 

Visit GYGM’s website for more information.

About McArthur River Mine

McArthur River Mine is located in the Northern Territory approximately 970 kilometres south-east from Darwin and 60 kilometres south-west of its closest township, Borroloola. MRM mines one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits.

MRM provides direct employment to about 1,230 people, including contractors. In 2023, we contributed $794 million to the local, Territory and national economies through our payment of wages, spend on goods and services from 930 suppliers – including many in the Territory – taxes and community investment projects.

Visit MRM's website for more information.