Mine activist buries the hatchet
22.07.2000
FOR almost a decade, the future of the $1.2 billion Pasminco Century zinc mine north-west of Mount Isa has been embroiled in controversy.
The main problem was getting agreement with the Aboriginal people -- the traditional owners of the land where the mine was situated and also where the pipeline taking the ore to Karumba port was installed.
The life of the mine involved -- or attracted the attention of -- the government of the day: led variously by -- in the federal arena -- Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and John Howard; and -- on the state scene -- Mike Ahern, Russell Cooper, Wayne Goss, Rob Borbidge and Peter Beattie.
The constant which all governments and the mine management had to overcome, or with which they had to strike an agreement, was Murrandoo Yanner.
An articulate person, Mr Yanner made it clear from the start that he was opposed to the establishment of the mine and everything to do with it. He was obstructionist, contrary and, on many occasions, impossible to deal with.
However, that has all changed, and the mine and its manner of operation have his blessing.
Many lay the charge that he drove too hard a bargain; that he did not appreciate that the work opportunities available for his own people were real.
The truth is that he was not a believer. He did not believe white management would deliver ``real'' jobs to his people -- the disadvantaged residents of Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Burketown and Normanton.
Many times over the years he derided the deal they were offered, accusing Century of offering ``token'' employment -- menial labouring or service jobs with no future.
But he is now the first to concede that the Queensland Government and Pasminco Century have combined to deliver the genuine article.
Last week at Century, Mr Yanner was in attendance when Industrial Relations Minister Paul Braddy confirmed the Government's commitment to provide $1million for training for Aboriginal people to gain employment at the mine.
As well as this, Pasminco made a commitment of $6 million over four years and $1 million a year for the life of the project (estimated now at 20 years).
There is a need for basic training and literacy skills for job applicants, because in many instances they were not employable as they did not have basic reading and writing abilities.
But that is being tackled, and Aboriginal people are now driving the huge mine vehicles which carry 240 tonnes of ore; they are undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships in the range of skills needed for a remote mine -- such as electrical and engineering trades, clerical and catering.
An agreement signed between the Gulf communities, the State Government and Pasminco sets out four major obligations:
* The establishment of an employment and training programme for local Aboriginal people funded by the company.
* An education, employment and training committee, made up of stakeholders, which is responsible for the development and implementation of an education, employment and training plan.
The company is now aiming at achieving an on-site workforce by January 1, 2004 which will be at least half Aboriginal.
Moreover, it will help establish Aboriginal-owned contracts on-site and all employees and contractors will be required to undertake a cultural awareness programme.
Pasminco's achievements so far include:
* 134 people from Normanton, Burketown, Doomadgee and Mornington Island received basic life skills training.
* 73 have undertaken tailored pre-employment courses.
* Of the regular mine workforce of about 500, 103 are local indigenous people, 17 local non-indigenous and 43 are local women.
* 453 people from the area have been employed at some stage.
* Aboriginal interests own three on-site contracts and one at Karumba employing 22 people.
* The mine has contributed $11.2 million in earnings to residents so far.
* Infrastructure grants of $20,000 a school for three years have been paid to Mornington, Normanton and Doomadgee state schools.
* $23,000 per school per year for two years has been paid to assist teachers in obtaining or upgrading vocational education technical competencies.
At last week's function at the mine, Mr Yanner described the employment agreement as ``everything I have been fighting for''.
The result now is that, so long as each party honours its commitment, the fighting is over.
