BHP Billiton : Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation and BHP achieve significant agreement today

01 November 2018, 07:00 AM

At a signing ceremony on 1 November 2018, BHP Nickel West signed a Comprehensive Agreement with Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation on behalf of the Tjiwarl people, who are the native title holders of the land which includes Nickel West's northern operations in the Goldfields region of Western Australia.
The agreement represents a long-term commitment to a partnership that will see BHP provide native title compensation as well as financial and other support to assist Tjiwarl people to deliver their community plans across areas including health, education, training, employment and contracting.
It also provides support for the ongoing development and operation of Nickel West's operations in the area, including a framework for the parties to work together on cultural heritage management and protection for certain areas of special significance.
'Today's signing of this agreement demonstrates our joint commitment to a partnership to deliver long term and mutually beneficial outcomes for Tjiwarl people and country,' BHP Nickel West President Eddy Haegel said.
'This landmark agreement for the region has been built on trust, transparency and strong leadership from both parties.
'This is a mutually beneficial agreement which reflects BHP's commitment to making positive economic and social contributions in our communities, including employment and engagement of Tjiwarl people across our diverse operations in Western Australia.'
'This is a landmark agreement in the North Eastern Goldfields and a milestone for Tjiwarl,' said Brett Lewis, Tjiwarl AC director and Tjiwarl native title holders.
'It means a lot for our up and coming generations and will provide for our future. It gives Tjiwarl a seat at the table. It means the respect of our fathers and mothers who didn't have a say and will now get a say in their country.'
The Tjiwarl people are the native title holders (determined in May 2017) over approximately 13,000 square kilometres of land in the Northern Goldfields region of WA, where BHP Nickel West's operations at Leinster and Mt Keith are located.