Rio finalises Banjima deal

Rio Tinto and the Banjima traditional owners have finalised the Participation Agreement for the Banjima determined area with a signing ceremony in Karratha this month ending 13 years of negotiation.

The agreement provides Rio Tinto with consents to all current and future exploration, infrastructure and mining within Banjima’s claim boundary.

It supports cultural, community and commercial development activity and outlines how Banjima People and Rio Tinto will work together to achieve agreed standards and commitments.

Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation chairman Slim Parker said the agreement had been a hard and long negotiation.

“The rights and interests of the parties were considered in a way that provided for the best possible outcome for the members of BNTAC in terms of the agreement that was reached,” he said.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Andrew Harding said the company had a track record of working constructively with indigenous communities.

“This is our 10th agreement in the Pilbara and we are extremely proud to formalise our partnership with Banjima Traditional Owners,” he said.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Simon Hawkins said the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved when interested parties sat at the table together.

The Banjima agreement area is about 67,000sqm and includes Rio Tinto’s Hope Downs 1 mining operations, major rail lines and supporting infrastructure.

Rio Tinto has now signed agreements with all Native Title claim groups with interests in areas of the Pilbara where the company’s current and proposed future operations are situated.