Signing of Cooperation Agreement sets new relationship between Borroloola region Traditional Owners and McArthur River Mine

Joint media release
Borroloola, Northern Territory

Traditional Owners from the four language groups of the Borroloola region and McArthur River Mine (MRM) have signed a landmark Cooperation Agreement.

The agreement, signed by the Gudanji Yanyuwa Garrwa Marra (GYGM) Aboriginal Corporation, provides Traditional Owners with the means to access expert advice and support as they enter negotiations with MRM for an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). To date there has been no ILUA in place for the mining operation, which has been operating for 30 years.

MRM has agreed to provide financial support to GYGM so Traditional Owners may access independent technical advice on a wide range of issues of vital interest to MRM and GYGM, including sacred site and heritage issues, environmental management, mine closure and native title issues.

GYGM Director Asman Rory welcomed the signing of the agreement. “We are working in collaboration and building a new era of trust. We need this to address the past, the present and the future,” he said.

“Having access to advice and funding locally will help GYGM to be a strong voice for all Traditional Owners in the Borroloola region who are looking after country. We’ve been working on this for quite some time, to establish something ourselves based in Borroloola that can benefit our community.”

GYGM Director Stephen Anderson acknowledged the signing of the agreement marked a significant change in the relationship between Traditional Owners and MRM. “We’ve had a long journey and some big challenges along the way but we’re now in the position we’re working together.”

MRM General Manager Mark Furlotte said MRM was committed to working towards a formal Indigenous Land Use Agreement with Traditional Owners through GYGM.

“This is a very important milestone in establishing a relationship where we can work together into the future,” Mark said.

“We will continue to work positively through GYGM, knowing that Traditional Owners are being supported by independent expert advice and support.”

Mr Furlotte said while an Indigenous Land Use Agreement was important to MRM, other priorities include a mechanism to jointly manage cultural heritage on the mine site and ensuring the benefits of mining are shared with Traditional Owners.

For further information, please contact:

GYGM Media

Diane Brodie
m: +61 401 643 437
 

MRM Media

Tracy Jones
m: +61 418 251 774
e: Tracy Jones

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.