Community
Being a valued member of the communities that we are a part of is important. We believe our stakeholder engagement activities must deliver on this by engaging local community representatives and actively promoting the contribution that Zinifex makes to the places we operate in. In addition, we aim to be open, honest and as cooperative as possible when addressing stakeholders' issues and concerns.
Gulf Communities Agreement
Zinifex's Century Mine operates under a unique tripartite agreement between Zinifex, the Queensland Government and local Native Title groups. The Gulf Communities Agreement (GCA) was negotiated under the Right to Negotiate provisions of the Native Title Act (1993) and was signed in February 1997. The Native Title groups from the Gulf of Carpentaria involved in the agreement are the Waanyi, Mingginda, Gkuthaarn and Kukatj groups.In negotiating the GCA the desired outcomes of the Native Title groups were to:
- Remove their people and other members of their communities from welfare dependency and, to the greatest extent possible, promote economic self-sufficiency.
- Participate as fully as possible in Century Mine and related ventures.
- Be able to live on their traditional lands.
- Protect fully the natural environment as much as possible.
- Identify and protect sites of cultural significance.
- Ensure that the material benefits gained do not corrupt Indigenous cultures, but enable people to reaffirm their beliefs and enhance the lifestyle of the people of the Gulf through community and cultural development initiatives.
- Ensure that the standard of health, employment rates, education opportunities and other social indices of the people of the Gulf are comparable to ordinary Australian standards.
- Opportunities to participate in jobs relating to Century Mine.
- Training programs to assist Aboriginal people in learning and maintaining relevant skills.
- Apprenticeships.
- Business opportunities for local Aboriginal people at both the mine and port sites, as well as within their local communities.
- Ongoing assistance for the establishment and operation of businesses.
- Assurances regarding environmental protection.
- Assurances about the identification, protection and management of significant Aboriginal sites.
- Gradual transfer of five pastoral leases to local Aboriginal ownership.
- Monetary payments to the Native Title groups for land access.
- Continual consultation and communication with local Aboriginal communities.
Gulf Communities Agreement
- Gulf Communities Agreement (GCA) Brochure (PDF, 134 kB)
Cultural Monitoring at Century Mine
The ore body at Century Mine contains hematite, a reddish-brown mineral of cultural significance to the local Waanyi people. The removal of this mineral from the pit is done under the guidance of onsite cultural monitors, representing the Waanyi people. They ensure that the material is dealt with in a culturally appropriate manner.
The onsite monitors also work with our exploration geologists in their work around the Century district.
Community consultation
believe it is important to have a sound understanding of the views, concerns and aspirations of the communities we are a part of. In line with this commitment we engage independent consultants to undertake community research at our Century and Rosebery mines. This helps us to gauge communities and key stakeholders' understanding, awareness and attitudes towards Zinifex and its operations.
Regular community meetings are held in the Gulf communities in Queensland and in 2005 we established a Community Consultative Group at Rosebery. The group, made up of key local stakeholders and representatives, meets quarterly to receive presentations and information from mine management and issues of interest to the community.
Community Relations Contacts
Century Mine
Kathryn LoganTel: 61 7 4769 5589
Email: kathryn.logan@zinifex.com
Rosebery Mine
Christine WinskillTel: 61 3 6473 2105
Email: christine.winskill@zinifex.com
