Glencore‘s McArthur River Mining is negotiating a land use agreement with local Traditional Owners

One of the Territory’s prominent miners is negotiating a land use agreement with Traditional Owners around access to a sacred site.

Global mining giant Glencore is negotiating an Indigenous land use agreement with traditional owners around the company’s McArthur River Mine site in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The agreement is expected to improve Traditional Owner access to sacred sites within the mining area.

MRM is the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the region and one of the largest in the Territory.

Located 700km south-east of Darwin and 65km from the township of Borroloola. Glencore

mines and processes zinc, lead and silver concentrates on site before they are exported from the Bing Bong loading facility in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

MRM employed over 1000 people throughout 2021. Photo: Shane Eecen

Zinc produced at MRM is used in everyday goods like cars, trains, ovens, washing

machines and fridges as well as low emission technologies including solar panels and wind

turbines.

MRM engages with Indigenous communities in the Gulf Region and about one in four employees come from local communities including Borroloola and Robinson River.

About 15 years ago, Glencore and the Territory Government launched McArthur River Mine

Community Benefits Trust.

MRM contributes $1.3m every year to the Trust and has invested more than

$20 million into over 130 programs in health, education and cultural

heritage.

MRM acting general manager Adam Hatfield said the company was committed to strengthening ties and adding value to the Gulf community.

“Glencore’s McArthur River Mining is a proud Territory operation and we remain entirely committed to the safe and responsible operations of our zinc mine,” he said.

Glencore McArthur River Mine acting general manager Adam Hatfield.

“We’re proud of the work we do and the significant contribution we make - helping build the long-term social and economic prosperity of the Territory, and supporting the local Indigenous communities across the Gulf region.

“Last year we supported more than 1000 direct jobs on site and engaged over 1000 suppliers, while continuing to build capacity of Territorians through cadetships, apprenticeships, traineeships, and our Indigenous Employment Program. I’m proud of the fact that about one in four of our employees is Indigenous.

“I’m also proud to report we’ve been formally recognised for our development of Territorians, being crowned Large Employer of the Year at the recent NT Training Awards. Further to this, we’ve been named as a finalist in the NT Natural Resource Management Awards for our extensive revegetation work.

“We’ve recently entered into negotiations with Traditional Owners for an Indigenous land use agreement.

“The agreement seeks to formalise and further increase Indigenous participation across our workforce while ensuring the benefits of our operations are shared with the local communities.

Glencore MRM McArthur River Mine NT

“Zinc has an important role in the transition to a global low carbon economy and is contained in many products we use every day. We look forward to continuing to responsibly develop one of the world’s largest zinc deposits while providing opportunities for Territorians into the future.”

Mr Hadfield said the company would continue to push for certainty around mining regulation following its participation in the government’s royalties review.

“Glencore’s McArthur River Mining supports policy that provides certainty to operators and investors in the resource sector,” he said.

“We’ve been operating in the Territory for over 25 years and the resource sector contributes significantly to the social and economic fabric of the Territory.

“We appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Territory Government’s recent NT royalties review, and we’ll continue to work constructively with Government to establish a legislative framework that encourages industry growth and investment while delivering on the expectations of Territorians.”