Aboriginal jobs give zinc mine go-ahead
17.07.2000
THE Pasminco Century zinc mine north-west of Mount Isa has finalised an employment agreement with local Aboriginal people that should remove the last impediment to optimum production.
The mine owners, the State Government and Aborigines have signed an agreement to provide training for indigenous people -- so they can make up half the mine's workforce within three years.
The training and employment programme has been hailed as the most significant and genuine attempt by a mining organisation to include traditional owners in the profits of the operation.
Aborigines are being trained in all aspects of production -- from clerical through to driving huge trucks -- to basic mechanical and engineering trades, catering and hospitality.
From the time the Century mine was mooted, the concept was vehemently opposed by firebrand Murrandoo Yanner, a representative of the traditional owners.
But even that hurdle -- thought insurmountable by many because of Mr Yanner's intransigence -- has been overcome, and the mine's operations now proceed with his total, although not uncritical, blessing.
But his ``opposition'' nowadays takes the form of him playing the devil's advocate with mine management and government when he speaks on behalf of his people.
On Friday, when the training agreement was signed, Mr Yanner was called on to witness the signatures. He refused, saying he had not read the document and would not sign anything he had not read.
A mere gesture of a dissident, but he was more than happy to be photographed with mine and government representatives and Aboriginal employees.
He said unequivocally that the agreement was everything he had fought for -- achieving skills and ``real'' jobs for his people.
Employment, Training and Industrial Relations Minister Paul Braddy handed over $500,000, which is the first instalment of a $1.5 million commitment to help fund training for Aboriginal and Islander people.
``More than 20 percent of the workers employed at the Century zinc mine site are from Doomadgee, Normanton and Mornington Island,'' Mr Braddy said.
