Magnetite Mines Ltd (ASX:MGT) has formalised the ‘Walking Together – One Team Partnering Agreement’ with the Ngadjuri Nation Aboriginal Corporation, the Native Title holders of the land where Magnetite’s Razorback Iron Ore Project in South Australia is situated.
The agreement is designed to yield long-lasting benefits for both Magnetite and the Ngadjuri Community. It resonates with Magnetite Mines’ advanced sustainability initiative, fostering a mutual dedication to equality, trust and culturally respectful practices.
Following this agreement, Native Title discussions will begin, steered by the principles, conduct and governance frameworks established in the Partnering Agreement.
"We are very proud to announce this historic Partnering Agreement with the Ngadjuri Nation Aboriginal Corporation,” Magnetite CEO Tim Dobson said.
“The team at Magnetite Mines and the Ngadjuri Community have taken the time necessary to build a relationship founded in mutual trust and respect, and to enshrine our agreed way of working together.
"We believe this is essential for the success of the Razorback Project, the scale of which is set to span several generations of project partners.
"With this agreement, both parties can be assured that the principles of equality, collaboration, communication and care will endure for the life of the project.
“We are truly looking forward to walking together with Ngadjuri on this journey that promises to bring extensive positive benefits to all project partners while respecting both the Country on which we work as well as Ngadjuri cultural heritage and identity.”
Two years in the making
The Partnering Agreement has been two years in the making as relationships, fostered through a range of activities including heritage surveys, site visits, presentations, workshops and, most recently, the Ngadjuri community information session in August 2023, have been built.
Through this agreement, Ngadjuri Nation and Magnetite Mines will work closely on the development of the Razorback and Iron Peak mines, including supporting infrastructure, future mining projects, exploration activities, land management and the economic and social progress relevant to Ngadjuri Country and interests.
The Partnering Agreement was formally ratified in a ceremony held on Ngadjuri Country on December 20, 2023.
The event was attended by Magnetite Mines’ personnel, along with current and former board directors of Ngadjuri Nation. The ceremony also saw participation from members of the Ngadjuri Community, officials from the South Australian Government, and representatives from the SA Native Title Service.
The vision
The collaboration between Magnetite and Ngadjuri Nation is significant, as it lays the groundwork for a lasting, respectful, and collaborative relationship.
This agreement establishes a systematic approach for addressing project-related regulatory and cultural issues consistently and respectfully. This includes matters pertaining to Native Title, heritage, education, economic development, and other participatory outcomes.
The agreement also recognises the ongoing spiritual and cultural ties to the land while exploring future opportunities for the mutual benefit of both parties.
Under this Agreement, Magnetite and Ngadjuri Nation are committed to forging a sustainable future for coming generations, encompassing economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions, and in collaboration with each partner's stakeholders, communities, and allies.
"Ngadjuri Nation started this journey with Magnetite Mines about three years ago, and we have now finalised one part of our journey; the Walking Together – One Team Partnering Agreement is one of many steps. Ngadjuri Nation has a good relationship with Magnetite Mines – we are walking together, side by side,” Ngadjuri Nation chairperson Carlo Sansbury said.
“Everything you see is important to us, walking in our ancestors’ footprints and our present footprints. We always have to remember to respect each other and our connection to Country, culture and heritage. Trust, respect and transparency, and the ability to make decisions together, is how we want our relationship to be recognised.
“There will be great opportunities for future Ngadjuri generations, our grandchildren, their grandchildren and so on. We still have a long way to go, but we, the Ngadjuri, are a strong community.”
What’s next
The partners will now start several programs of work under the guiding principles and governance system provided by the Agreement.
The programs will progress through the first half of 2024 and include:
- the negotiation of a proposed Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA);
- further characterisation of the Razorback Project’s cultural heritage environment, and development of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan; and
- investigation of ‘value-add’ participation programs, including employment, cultural heritage management and land management.
Read more on Proactive Investors AU
