The Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation (BBAC), on behalf of the Barada Barna people, have entered into a Native Title Project Agreement (Agreement) with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for its operations in the Bowen Basin; including Broadmeadow, Caval Ridge, Goonyella Riverside Peak Downs and Saraji mines.

This 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 sets a new path forward in the relationship between BMA and the Barada Barna people providing intergenerational benefit to the Traditional Owners of the land where BMA operates. 

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 financial benefits for social-economic purposes and opportunities in the form of contracting, business, employment, education and training. 

“This Agreement means everything to our people,” said Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Nicole Muller.

“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.

“Some of the biggest benefits to come out of this 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.”

The Barada Barna people are the native title holders (determined in September 2016) of more than approximately 3,000 square kilometres of land in Central Queensland where BMA’s mining operations are based. 

BMA Asset President Adam Lancey said the agreement recognises the Barada Barna peoples’ sacred connection to this 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; and deepen our 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.”

Headline image caption: Luarna Dynevor, Adam Lancey and Nicole Muller.