A new Native Title Project Agreement between Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation (BBAC), on behalf of the Barada Barna people, and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) seeks to provide intergenerational benefit to the Traditional Owners of the land where BMA operates, as well as financial benefits for social-economic purposes.
The Barada Barna people are the native title holders (determined in September 2016) of more than approximately 3,000km3 of land in Central Queensland where BMA’s mining operations are based.
The agreement is the second Native Title Project Agreement BBAC and BHP have negotiated together in Queensland, and a first between BMA and BBAC. The agreement covers operations in the Bowen Basin including Broadmeadow, Caval Ridge, Goonyella Riverside Peak Downs and Saraji mines.
Under the Agreement, BMA will provide financial benefits to be directed towards priority community projects that create more opportunity for Barada Barna people to live and work on Country, strengthening this important connection. The Agreement also delivers opportunities in the form of contracting, business, employment, education, and training.
Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson, Nicole Muller, said, “This agreement means everything to our people.
“It’s not just about the now and helping our people today, it’s also about laying the foundations so future generations after us will reap the full benefits.”
Ms Muller said that some of the biggest benefits to come out of the agreement are around employment and contracting.
“These benefits will bring sustainable long-term economic and social improvements and will bring our people back home to work and live on Country.”
BMA Asset President, Adam Lancey, said, the agreement recognises the Barada Barna peoples’ sacred connection to the land and the surrounding waterways, and outlines a path forward for a relationship based on trust, respect and mutual benefit.
“It will see BMA and Barada Barna work together to deliver intergenerational benefits in the form of contracting, business, employment and education.”
Mr Lancey said the agreement will also deepening BMA’s workforce’s knowledge and understanding of Barada Barna history and connection to Country through cultural awareness training.
BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery, said, “Across Australia, the partnerships we seek with Traditional Owners, Cultural Knowledge Holders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities are among the most important that we will ever share.
“This agreement is years and many voices in the making, and it reflects BHP’s aspirations and commitments to listen and to learn to get our practice right, to do better and to walk a new path, together,” Ms Slattery said.
“It’s an agreement that has been created through good faith negotiation to deliver economic, social and cultural wellbeing.”
MDP Managing Director and CEO, Ken Tauchi, said, “We are proud that BMA has worked in close collaboration with the Barada Barna people to reach this important agreement, which honours their deep connection to Country and their cultural heritage.”
Mr Tauchi said the agreement lays the foundation to deliver long-term, sustainable benefits for the future generations of Barada Barna through employment, contracting and economic opportunities.
