GOLD FIELDS, NGADJU PEOPLE SIGN NATIVE TITLE AGREEMENT FOR ST IVES

Left: Ngadju Elder and NNTAC Director Christine Donaldson signing the agreement with St Ives/ Goldfields

BY ASAD KHAN

Gold Fields Limited and the Ngadju Native Title Aboriginal Corporation have announced the signing of a historic Native Title Agreement between the two companies.

The Ngadju Native Title Aboriginal Corporation is the representative body for the Ngadju People in Western Australia’s Goldfields region. 

The landmark agreement has come after two years of negotiations.

The agreement includes compensation payments and other initiatives and benefits, including a substantial initial payment in recognition of the historical mining activities on Ngadju lands.

Gold Fields will also guarantee entry-level positions for Ngadju people at its St Ives gold mine, with additional financial support for training and education courses.

Ngadju Elder and NNTAC Director Christine Donaldson said she is grateful for the outcome for the Ngadju people.

“The mining leases were granted prior to the introduction of the Native Title Act, and this means that although the miners have a potential compensation liability, they didn't have to do a mining agreement with the Ngadju people,” she said.

She said there is no right to negotiate under the native title act, and for such reasons, Native Title groups are at the mercy of large miners who don't have to negotiate agreements.

 “Fortunately, St Ives and its parent company, Goldfields, have taken a socially responsible approach to negotiations, and we thank them for that and encourage others to do the same,”

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Lead Journalist Asad Khan speak with Ngadju Elder and NNTAC Director Christine Donaldson: