ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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Memorandum of Understanding between Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Ltd and the Northern Land Council
Date:	1 December 2001
Sub Category:	Memorandum of Understanding
Place:
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State/Country:	Northern Territory, Australia
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Subject Matter:	Mining and Minerals \| Exploration
Summary Information:
The Memorandum of Understanding between Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Limited and the Northern Land Council is based on a relationship of mutual respect and understanding. The parties wish to establish a cooperative approach to the implementation of Rio Tinto's exploration and mining projects in the Northern Territory on land for which the Northern Land Council has responsibility as a representative Aboriginal body under the Native Title Act 1993. A Model Exploration & Mining Agreement which, in principle, is mutually acceptable to both the parties, is annexed to the Memorandum.
Detailed Information:
Under the Memorandum Rio Tinto commits itself during the course of its exploration and mining activities to exercise respect for the continuing responsibilities and rights of native title holders, under customary and statutory law. The Northern Land Council will endeavour to assist Rio Tinto to achieve its exploration and mining objectives pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Model Exploration and Mining Agreement. Rio Tinto agrees to notify the Land Council of each Application for the grant of an Exploration Licence that it makes over land other than Aboriginal land in the Land Council region. The Land Council will use its best reasonable endeavours to consult with the relevant Local Aboriginal Groups in relation to each Application and to invite Rio Tinto to participate in those consultations. The Land Council will recommend that the Local Aboriginal Groups accept the Model Exploration and Mining Agreement. The parties commit to meeting together on a regular basis to discuss and consider matters arising out of the Applications and to better plan and implement their respective operations. Rio Tinto and the Land Council will review the Memorandum after twelve months to decide whether it should continue to operate and, if so, in what form.