Resolving long-term issues related to surface water management and monitoring associated with the Ranger Uranium Mine, Northern Territory, Australia

Abstract

Conflicts between indigenous people and mining companies have occurred in many countries and over many years, with the pressure for mining companies to improve their performance leading to a growth of corporate social responsibility concepts. Energy Resources of Australia and the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation (representing the Mirarr people) sought to resolve a number of long-standing issues relating to surface water management and monitoring associated with the Ranger Uranium Mine. This article summarises the process adopted and discusses the main factors that underpinned the success of the project.

Keywords:

• indigenous conflict resolution
• surface water management
• uranium mining

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all members of ISWWG for the time they gave to this process and for the professional way they contributed to the discussions and to the resolution of the key actions. Additionally, we are grateful to the consultants (Dr John Tilleard, Dr Tony Ladson, Michael Jones, Dr Ross Jeffree and Dr Jeff Taylor) for the quality and independence of the advice they provided to ISWWG. Thanks also to ERA for funding this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The ERISS conducts environmental monitoring and research on the protection of people and the environment from uranium mining.

2. The Mirarr people have legal representation through the NLC under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act.