Central Land Council

  Angela Pamela and the native title process

The Central Land Council said today that consultations with native title holders about the proposed Angela Pamela mine south of Alice Springs are in progress.

CLC Director David Ross said he was keen to clear up any confusion in the public's mind about the process.

“This proposal is on the Owen Springs pastoral lease and therefore is a native title issue.

The Northern Territory Government issued a future act notice on 26 March this year which triggered a native title process.

“The CLC is the Native Title Representative Body under the Native Title Act for Central Australia and it's our job to ensure the native title holders' interests are protected as best as possible under the Act,” Mr Ross said.

“A uranium mine is a controversial issue and there are a range of views on it which everybody has a right to express.

“At this stage, it is just the exploration licence that is being discussed. If the companies wish to proceed to mining then they will apply for a mineral lease.

“It is important to note that native title holders have no right under the Native Title Act to withhold consent to an exploration licence as they would have on Aboriginal land under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act,” he said.

“They can decide to come to an agreement with the company with benefits like employment and the protection of sacred sites. If the company is unwilling to negotiate they could lodge an objection to the expedited procedure

“Alternatively, they may decide that an agreement is not warranted and just ask to be kept informed of developments with a view to negotiating if a mineral lease is applied for.

“The CLC has told traditional owners that it will support them whatever their decision is,” Mr Ross said.

At this stage, it is the exploration licence which is being considered and it is only the native holders for the area that are being consulted.

Some of the native title holders for the area are from the Antulye estate group of the Alice Springs native title claim whose country extends beyond the area of the Alice Springs native title determination. Many native title holders live in Santa Teresa and communities around Alice Springs.

Lhere Artepe is the Prescribed Body Corporate for the Alice Springs determination area and has a legitimate role and responsibility as the representative of Alice Springs native title holders for issues that affect Alice Springs. The exploration licence is located outside of that determination area.

Last week the CLC held a uranium information session for the native title holders. The CLC has a duty to provide balanced information about exploration and the issues involved with uranium mining. The native title holders have requested more information and more consultations will be held.

The Central Land Council is a Commonwealth statutory body representing about 24,000 Aboriginal people in the southern half of the Northern Territory. Fifteen Aboriginal languages are spoken in its area which covers around 750,000 square kilometres.

David Ross is not available for comment on this press release. We hope that it clears up any confusion that you may have rather than exacerbate it……

Contact: Jane Hodson 0417877579

9 May 2008