MINING ROYALTIES AND WHAT IS OWED TO THE ABORIGINAL GROUPS

Yindjibarndi Traditional Owner Michael Woodley leading a delegation to the Philippines to learn about ACEN’s wind and solar power developments. (Credit:YAC)

BY ASAD KHAN

A new financial report shows how some Aboriginal Native Title Groups are doing more for their people from the mining royalties than other groups whereas private companies have taken the biggest share.

According to Business News, royalties handed out to Aboriginal groups in WA totalled about $370 million in 2023, which was up by $50 million compared to the previous financial year.

While we see an increase in royalties to Aboriginal groups it remains insignificant compared to billions of dollars earned by the big mining companies in WA.

Family Company Wright Prospecting was paid $361 million in mining royalties last financial year, about the equivalent to what was paid to all Aboriginal groups.

Mark Beyer, Senior Editor of Business News said Yindjibanrdi people have a different arrangement than other Aboriginal groups where Rio Tinto pays a tariff for the railways that pass through Yindjibarndi Country.

“They have got an agreement with Rio where Rio pays a rail tariff. Rio doesn't actually mine on the Yindjibarndi country, but they do have railway lines that go through Yindjibarndi country so on that basis they pay a rail tariff.”

The Yindjibarndi people hold Non-Exclusive Native Title over much of their country, and recently, after a 14-year struggle, were awarded Exclusive Native Title over a further part of their country.

Mr Beyer said Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation’s relationship with Rio Tinto contrasts with Fortescue which operates in Yindjibarndi Country and a legal battle over how much royalty is owed is ongoing.

Mr Beyer said Yindjibarndi Leader and Traditional Owner Michael Woodley has achieved a lot with the ‘relatively small amount’ that they have been paid already and the money that comes from Fortescue will further help Yindjibarndi people to look after themselves and their country.

“So they've set up a commercial contracting business called Yurra that employs about 400 people either directly or through its joint ventures and annual revenue of about 120 million dollars, so that has become very successful.

“They have also set up joint ventures to set up wind farms and solar farms in the Pilbara,” he said.

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Lead Journalist Asad Khan speak with Senior Editor Business News Mark Beyer: