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Argyle Mine Celebrates Anniversary of Landmark Participation Agreement
Nov 20, 2014 11:45 AM
By Jeff Miller
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RAPAPORT... Rio Tinto’s Argyle diamond mine marked its 10th anniversary of a landmark participation agreement with the Gija and Miriuwung people, the traditional owners of the mine. The agreement provides the owners an active role, with economic benefits, in diamond mining and a voice in decisions that affect their interests.
During a ceremony at the Argyle mine, its managing director, Shane Johnson, said, “I am honored to stand here today and acknowledge the importance and strength of the participation agreement as it continues to drive progressive change at the mine and also the way we manage our diamond business. Today, Argyle’s influence stretches into many spheres and over many continents, but it is on the land of the East Kimberley region of Western Australia that the traditional owners have enabled the world to see indigenous engagement in a whole new light.”
Ted Hall, a Miriuwung traditional owner and the chairman of the Gelganyem Trust, highlighted past challenges faced by the traditional owners in the early 1990s and the positive changes that he has witnessed in the local communities since the agreement was put in place in 2004.
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Tags:
Argyle diamond mine, Australia, Jeff Miller, Rio Tinto
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