Mining and Land Rights in Central Australia
Mining and Land Rights in Central Australia Journal Article
Dialogue: the Journal of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
- Author(s): Rodger Barnes
- Published: 2009
- Volume: 28
Abstract: Mining in Central Australia is considered here; in particular how mining occurs in the context of statutory Aboriginal land rights that exist in the Northern Territory. The mining industry is important to the economy of the Northern Territory and has significant political influence. The intersection of interests between miners and Aboriginal people, historically, is a point of contestation. Negotiation and agreement is the preferred method to manage access to land for resource development whilst protecting landowner interests. While the benefit of reaching agreement is often extolled, this article focuses on how agreements are put into effect and how outcomes are dependent on effective implementation A brief overview of mining in the Northern Territory and Central Australia follows. Agreements and their implementation are considered through an examination of employment outcomes under an agreement for the Granites Gold Mine in the Tanami Desert: also briefly considered is how the experience under such agreements may affect the course of future developments.