ayakwa | june/july 2012 edition 9

June/July 2012 Edition A PUBLICATION OF THE ANINDILYAKWA LAND COUNCIL Issue 09

Page 3

Mining company reveals new seabed plans

Groote Resources Ltd (also known as Northern Manganese) has announced plans to explore Commonwealth waters near Groote Eylandt for manganese.

The company has applied to explore new sites in
Commonwealth waters from about six km south of
Groote Eylandt through to the Vanderlin Islands.
The applications were made after the NT Government put a three-year ban on seabed mining and exploration in NT waters meaning the company had to scrap plans to explore in waters surrounding Groote Eylandt.
ALC Mining Advisor Ross McDonald said the
applications were for Commonwealth waters which
are not controlled by the NT Government so the
seabed mining ban does not apply.
“The Australian and NT governments are now jointly
deciding whether to allow Groote Resources to
explore in this southern area,” Ross said.
“The ALC has sent comments to the government
in response, asking that they do not approve any
mining or exploration in this pristine area.
“We’d like to see this area also protected from
mining in the future,” Ross said. “Due to the pristine
nature of these waters, we believe they should be classified as a Category IV Marine Reserve, which
would block seabed mining but still allowing most
other non-destructive activities.”
A delegation of senior Traditional Owners and ALC
staff met with Australian Environment Minister Tony
Burke in May to lobby for permanent National
Heritage Listing of Groote Archipelago waters.
Ross said they received a positive response and
hoped for a listing within 12 months.
“The issue of the proposed exploration to the south
of Groote and any possible marine reserve areas
was also discussed, however this is likely to take
more time and much community consultation before
any further protection can be achieved,” Ross said.
“Protecting the Warnindilyakwa cultural and
Environmental Heritage on the Land and in the
Seas is a key goal for the ALC and we will continue
fighting for full protection of these areas for future
generations.

Link: http://www.anindilyakwa.com.au/publications/Ayakwa_Issue9.pdf
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