Pitfalls and Pipelines - Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links

332 Pitfalls and Pipelines: Indigenous Peoples and Extractive Industries
produces about 30 million carats each year from this mine, accounting
for about one-quarter of the world’s natural diamond production. Argyle is
also the world’s primary source of rare pink diamonds.
Argyle has 800 employees, with the majority working at the mine site. It
commenced mining its main ore body in 1985 and has since produced
more than 600 million carats of diamonds, ranging from gem quality to
near gem and industrial diamonds. In September 2004, Argyle signed a
Participation Agreement with traditional owners of the Miriuwung, Gidja,
Malgnin, and Woolah peoples. The Agreement was registered as an
Indigenous Land Use Agreement in April 2005, which is a voluntary, formal
agreement that binds all parties to particular targets and achievements.
The Participation Agreement recognizes traditional owners as the
landlords of the Argyle mining lease, while recognizing Argyle’s right
to continue its current and future mining operations. The Agreement
establishes a long-term relationship between the company and the
Traditional Owners, as well as other provisions including:
1. Joint commitment to improve community and social infrastructure for
Aboriginal communities in the East Kimberley region;
2. An income stream for the traditional owners, a portion of which will be
allocated to fund community development initiatives;
3. Another portion of income will be placed in a Sustainability Fund to
be managed by a Traditional Owners’ Trust;
4. Support and preference to be given to the employment and training
of local Aboriginal people;
5. Assistance with the development of traditional owner business
development for the mining sector;
6. Negotiation over land and water management over the life of the
mine and rehabilitation;
7. A Site Protection Management Plan for the protection of significant
Aboriginal heritage sites.
Not surprisingly the Argyle Diamond agreement is held up as good
practice in what can be achieved, not only under the Native Title Act, but
also for mining companies to develop strong community relations through
such practices as free, prior and informed consent for access to traditional
lands.