CONCLUSION

The Committee did not undertake an exhaustive study of the impact of uranium mining and milling on Aboriginal communities. A purpose of Ms Wilson's research paper was, however, to ensure that the Committee's inquiries and research, inasmuch as they related to matters affecting Aborigines, were available in consolidated form for others with more direct responsibilities and interests.

The Committee recognises that many issues confronting Aborigines in their relationships with European society and economy are not caused nor necessarily even aggravated by uranium mining and milling.

However, this does not in any way remove an obligation from governments and mining companies to take a full account of the implications of such activity on residents (European as well as Aboriginal) of the region in which the enterprise is located.

It is this consideration which has a strong bearing upon the Committee's for social impact assessments contained in chapter 2.

The Committee wants to encourage mining companies to continue to foster their relationships with Aboriginal communities. In the course of its inquiry it has noted the various measures they have taken to provide employment opportunities and to support activities within Aboriginal communities.

It recommends that governments, mining companies and Aboriginal organisations consider negotiation of comprehensive statements of agreement within which partnerships can develop to consolidate economic and social benefits within a context of respect for indigenous culture, customs and ways of life.

The Mt Todd agreement between the Northern Territory Government, Zapapan NL and the Jawoyn is cited as an example of the types of relationship which can be forged. It provides, for example, for Aboriginal employment and training, provision of five scholarships, cross-cultural training and education programs, provision of capital works to an out-station and Eva Valley Station by the Northern Territory Government, agreement by the Jawoyn to extinguish native title to the land involved and Zapopan's exploration and mining activities on the land concerned, full compensations for extinguishment of native title, support by the Northern Territory for the listing of certain areas of land under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, and increased annual rent for the Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge National Park). (I. Wilson, 32, citing C. O'Faircheallaigh, Mineral Development Agreements Negotiated by Aboriginal Communities in the 1990s, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research No 85/1995, ANU, 6-7)