http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/07/02/3259350.htmIndigeno...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/07/02/3259350.htm

Indigenous leaders dismayed at ore piping plans

Posted Sat Jul 2, 2011 10:28am AEST

Indigenous community leaders from the Limmen area of the Gulf of Carpentaria say they are dismayed that two mining companies want to pipe iron ore across their land.

Western Desert Resources and Sherwin Iron have told the Northern Territory Government they want to pipe ore from proposed mines in the area to Maria Island.

Marra elder Samuel Evans says if the mines go ahead the ore should be trucked out of the area, not piped to a proposed port on the island.

"This area has got a lot of significance, sacred sites and important areas to the Marra people," he said.

"It's one of the last frontiers in the Northern Territory in the Gulf of Carpentaria, one of the untouched lands. It's good fishing, good crabbing, good hunting, bush tucker.

"If this development goes ahead, the pipeline to Maria Island [is] going to be damaged and its going to be gone forever."

Western Desert Resources and Sherwin Iron say they want to pipe the ore to Maria Island because Darwin's port is too small and overland transport would be too costly.

The Northern Land Council's (NLC) chief executive Kim Hill says the council will consult Marra traditional owners in the Limmen area about the plans.

"We will consult with all traditional owners no doubt. The area in question is very large, and no doubt the issue regarding waste, or if not, transport of materials needs to be discussed," he said.

"The NLC will be consulting and advising the relevant traditional owners and the affected peoples."

Western Desert Resources and Sherwin Iron are planning their own consultations.