Native title holders awarded more than $54m for economic, spiritual loss from NT’s McArthur River Mine
In short:
The Federal Court has ordered the Northern Territory government to pay more than $54 million compensation to Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Yanyuwa-Marra traditional owners.
The compensation is for economic and spiritual losses associated with the establishment and expansion of the McArthur River Mine near Borroloola.
It marks only the second time a court has calculated compensation for native title losses, the first being the landmark Timber Creek case in 2019.
Native title holders for the land surrounding one of Australia’s largest mining operations have been awarded more than $54 million in compensation for “intergenerational and enduring” economic and spiritual loss.
The court ruling is only the second of its kind in Australia’s history and could have implications for native title groups, governments and private industry around the country