An Indigenous leader in Western Australia is calling for more Aboriginal-led mines in a lucrative northern corner of the state after condemning mining royalties at an event hosted by Andrew Forrest's company.
Nyamal elder Doris Mitchell-Eaton, from the Port Hedland area in the resource-rich Pilbara region, caused a stir yesterday when she criticised the lack of work opportunities for Aboriginal people in the industry.
She was speaking at an event hosted by Mr Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) to mark a development at the company's Iron Bridge magnetite mine.
On Tuesday Mrs Mitchell-Eaton told the ABC she did not want to single out FMG and said the entire industry should provide work and training opportunities for traditional owners rather than royalty payments alone, which were paid through the native title system.
She said that could eventually result in Aboriginal-led mining operations in the region.
"The system itself has failed us," Mrs Mitchell-Eaton said.
"We don't want a handout — we want a proper job, we want proper independence and we want to mine the country."
Policy to blame, Forrest says
While it was developing Iron Bridge in 2014, FMG said it had signed an agreement that gave native title clearances over Nyamal land in exchange for Aboriginal people becoming co-owners and operators of a separate magnetite mine.
The ABC contacted FMG with questions about the status of this deal, but did not receive a specific response.
In a statement, Mr Forrest said the company supported Mrs Mitchell-Eaton and argued that government had a role to play in empowering Aboriginal-led mines.
"Successive governments have let Indigenous Australians down by eroding capability through policies that pander to those who do not live amongst Aboriginal people," he said.
"Indigenous people want to be proud Aboriginal people in their own right and stand on their own two feet.
"They don’t want handouts, they want the capability that leads to independence, that leads to jobs."
Speaking at the event yesterday, Mr Forrest indicated he would back Indigenous-led operations in the industry.
"This land, I think, is more beautiful if Indigenous people mine it," he said.
"And that's what we have in other places across Fortescue and that's what we will continue here."
'We want to leave a foundation'
The Nyamal people are entitled to royalty payments from the Iron Bridge operation because they hold native title for the land it is based on.
Mrs Mitchell-Eaton said she wanted to see industry and government partner with Aboriginal communities to build their own mining operations rather than just receive royalties.
"We want to be in real business," she said.
"We want to leave a foundation for our next generations. Andrew wants to help and we would like to get help from him.
"Andrew's got the best system ... [but] I'd like to see more, I can speak to him with the elders and we can hit home.
"No more of this royalties.
"Our people are dying through that royalties system."
FMG's relationship with Aboriginal communities is under the microscope as the company faces a compensation claim from a separate group, the Yindjibarndi people.
The claim is linked to a long-running dispute between the groups centred on the Solomon Hub, which is also in the Pilbara.
Mr Forrest has previously blamed mining royalties and the welfare system for social issues in Aboriginal communities.
