Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first peoples of the lands and waters of Australia, widely recognised as the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
The minerals industry is privileged to be a partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including Traditional Owners, on projects across the country.
Native title and Aboriginal land rights regimes provide legal processes for the consultation and negotiation with Traditional Owners regarding land use, including minerals development. Voluntary partnerships are also common, either complementing or as alternative agreements.
Land use agreements with Traditional Owner groups often include financial and non-financial benefits and commitments to employment and business opportunities, social contributions and cultural heritage and land rehabilitation.
The minerals industry recognises the importance of culture and connection to Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. A significant focus of mining-related partnerships is support for Traditional Owner groups to strengthen and preserve cultures, language and knowledge within community and through generations and share across Australian society.
Community of Practice
The Community of Practice is a shared initiative of the MCA and National Native Title Council, the peak body representing the native title sector.
It is a collaborative and inclusive network, established with support from partners including Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration, the MoU to Increase Indigenous Participation in the Queensland Resources Sector and the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining.
The initiative focuses on implementation of minerals-related partnerships, including:
- Best practice approaches to implementation: Opportunities and lessons for maximising outcomes and measuring success.
- An environment for success: Opportunities and lessons to ensure legal, structural and other factors provide an enabling operating environment.
- Collective and regional impact: Opportunities and lessons for leveraging focus, investment and resources to enhance cultural, social, economic and environmental outcomes.
