Article by Noel Dyson courtesy of Australia’s Mining Monthly.
A KEY Native Title group in Western Australia’s Pilbara has received a boost with former Rio Tinto CEO Sam Walsh joining its board as an independent director.
Walsh’s appointment to the Banjima Native Title Advisory Council comes as Traditional Owner groups gird for battle with iron ore miners and government over whether they should be granted the power to veto projects on their lands.
BNTAC is the registered Native Title body corporate for Pilbara Traditional Owner group the Banjima People.
Besides bringing mining smarts to the group, it is also hoped Walsh can help it deal with a mining ghost town considered too hazardous for human occupation.
Walsh’s networks and planning experience across several sectors are also expected to leaven BNTAC’s community, country and cultural efforts.
BNTAC chairman and Banjima elder Maitland Parker said the group’s traditional lands not only had some of the largest mining projects in Western Australia, they also hosted the largest contaminated area in the southern hemisphere: Wittenoom.
The once gazetted town was the heart of the state’s asbestos mining industry. As a result the area is riddled with asbestos.
“Sam’s extensive experience in the mining sector and demonstrated track history with Aboriginal matters can support us in ensuring mining projects and conversations regarding issues like Wittenoom benefit Banjima People and our country,” Parker said.
Operations on Banjima country include Rio Tinto’s Hope Downs, Yandi and Gudai-Darri mines; BHP’s Yandi, Area C and South Flank mines; and Hancock Prospecting’s Mulga Downs development.
Walsh said he was delighted to be joining the Banjima board after almost 25 years of engagement with them.
“My focus at BNTAC will be to be an active participant, to support the board and the corporation and to add value,” he said.
“Ultimately I aim to have a positive impact not only on the organisation but, importantly, the whole of the Banjima community as well.
“Clearly there are a lot of issues occurring in the mining and Native Title space where I can help to advise the Banjima directors.”