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Rio Tinto Alcan Gove Traditional Owners Agreement

Date: 11 June 2011
Date To: 11 June 2053
Sub Category:Mining Agreement (Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act)
Place:Nhulunbuy
State/Country:Northern Territory, Australia
Nhulunbuy township is located on the Gove Peninsula in the north of the Northern Territory.
Subject Matter:Cultural Heritage | Economic Development | Education | Employment and Training | Environmental Heritage | Health and Community Services | | Mining and Minerals | Recognition of Traditional Rights and Interests
Summary Information:
The Rio Tinto Alcan Gove Traditional Owners Agreement is an agreement made pursuant the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) between Rio Tinto Alcan and the Yolngu traditional owners of north-east Arnhem Land, the Northern Land Council and the Commonwealth Government.

The agreement includes a 42 year lease of the bauxite mine site, alumina refinery and Nhulunbuy township on the Gove Peninsula, and provides for a range of financial, environmental management, cultural awareness, business development and employment and training benefits for the traditional owners of the area.
Detailed Information:
The Rio Tinto Alcan Gove Traditional Owners Agreement was signed by representatives of the Gumatj, Rirratjingu and Galpu clans, the Northern Land Council, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin on 11 June 2011. The agreement runs for 42 years.

Although large portions of the agreement remain confidential, the agreement includes provision for the lease of the bauxite mine site, alumina refinery and Nhulunbuy township on the Gove Peninsula.

Under the terms of the agreement, traditional owners will receive between $15m and $18m a year over the next 42 years, depending on the price of bauxite. This will be paid primarily to two traditional owner entities, the Gumatj Future Fund and the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, for use on a range of financial, contractual, asset and employment benefits for traditional owners. These include:
- funded construction projects, including medical, retail and residential developments;
- employment opportunities for Yolngu people across the region; and
- opportunities for indigenous owned companies to act as contractors for construction.

Related Entries

Organisation
  • Northern Land Council - Signatory
  • Rio Tinto Alcan - Signatory
  • Commonwealth of Australia - Signatory
  • Legislation
  • Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth)
  • People
  • Yolngu Traditional Owners

  • Glossary

    Mining Agreement (Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth)) (Australia)

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