NATIVE TITLE YINHAWANGKA

Source: Yinhawangka FB page

GEOFF VIVIAN

In the Pilbara, a gold prospector has won the right to prospect in part of determined Native Title lands.

Thomas Peter Sander applied for a licence to work approximately 3.15 square kilometres located about 21 kilometres west of Paraburdoo on Rocklea pastoral lease.

The Yinhawangka Native Title Aboriginal Corporation objected that the prospector’s activities would cause “major disturbance”.

Yinhawangka men Darren Injie and Halloway Smirke gave evidence to the Tribunal, identifying three very significant sites nearby.

However Mr Sander said he had applied for “the smallest possible size exploration licence available” in order to cover the “old Ballery Prospect” which is accessible via an existing station track.

He said the prospect comprised 150 square metres “of existing disturbed ground” with “piles of surface soil” left by bulldozers.

Mr Sander said he proposed to extract any remnant alluvial gold from the piles within the Prospect and potentially explore for the source of gold.

“It is anticipated that any future ground disturbance would fall within the footprint of the existing disturbance,” he told the Tribunal.

“Any ground disturbance would be rehabilitated to modern standards.”

Tribunal member Glen Kelly said he could not see how the prospector’s activities would damage the nearby sites, or interfere with Yinhawangka people’s ceremonies or other activities.

The Yinhawangka people hold non-exclusive native title over the land, and Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation lodged the objection on their behalf.