Traditional owners awarded over $54m compensation in mine claim
The Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Yanyuwa-Marra peoples have been awarded over $54 million compensation against the NT government in their long-running case.
The traditional owners of a pastoral lease that’s home to a massive mine have been awarded more than $54 million compensation for cultural and economic losses.
The Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Yanyuwa-Marra peoples took their case to the Federal Court in 2020, claiming the NT government has frustrated their fight against the McArthur River Mine.
Cultural sites damaged
Gudanji man Casey Davey said at that time sacred and significant sites had been damaged by mining operations.
“Our totem is right there where they dug up the dirt for the river diversion and the open cut,” he said.
“We need to be paid back for that and for the damage to our sacred trees. It’s sad for us, what happened at the mine, especially what happened to our sites.”
Gudanji man Casey Davey said McArthur River Mine’s damage to their sites was sad.
On Friday in Darwin, Justice Katrina Banks-Smith awarded $54 million compensation for cultural loss and $743,408 for economic loss, plus interest.
The NT government and Mount Isa Mines Ltd penned The McArthur River Project deal in November 1992 over one of the world’s largest deposits of zinc and lead.
It enabled dirt to be broken at Glencore’s McArthur River Mine and Bing Bong Port on the Gulf of Carpentaria about 750km east of Darwin.
More mine growth
The region’s traditional owners fought to stop development at the site, including the move from underground to open-cut operations.
Despite success in the NT Supreme Court, the Territory government repeatedly passed legislation approving more growth at the mine.
In 2007 the McArthur River Mine Community Benefits Trust fund was set up to help local Aboriginal people.
The trust’s website says it has invested more than $22 million in over 160 projects since then.
Justice Banks-Smith has delayed publication of her reasons.
