Heritage and Native Title5 Aug 2023 15:02
Heritage and Native Title
A heritage survey has been completed [Coles & Chisholm, 2014] in the north-east corner of the exploration tenure (approximately 19ha), in and around the area proposed for mining for the Sirius prospect. No heritage sites were identified.
Significant surveys have been completed adjacent to the Mineral Prospect, particularly on behalf of BHP and Hamersley Iron, with a range of registered sites identified. The closest site is Kalgan Creek.
It is anticipated that the level of heritage sites will be moderate, however can be managed through either an avoidance or approval under Section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. [or alternative approval instrument once the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 has been fully implemented]. This is not considered a constraint to mining.
The area is within the registered Native Title claim of the Nyiyaparli People (WC2005/006), administered by the Karlku Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC). The group has executed a range of Indigenous Land Use Agreements through the area with a range of mining companies in the area, including BHP Billiton (WI2012/005), Hamersley Iron P/L (Rio Tinto) (WI2012/007) and FMG (WI2016/003). As part of the mining lease and miscellaneous licence applications, a Native Title Agreement will be expected to be entered into with KNAC and considering the corporation’s experience with mining activities in the area, this is not considered a constraint to mining