Marandoo project gets Aboriginal heritage clearance

The Western Australian Government has given Aboriginal heritage clearance to the Marandoo iron ore project.

Premier Carmen Lawrence said today's meeting of State Cabinet had agreed to legislate at the special sitting of Parliament on Wednesday to protect the project from unwarranted legal claims.

The Premier was speaking after Aboriginal Affairs Minister Judyth Watson had reported to Cabinet that she had consented to an application under the Aboriginal Heritage Act for the project to proceed.

Dr Watson told Cabinet that her consent had been given with a requirement that the company comply with four conditions:

·         avoid a site of rock art in the so-called 'powerline corridor';

·         protect a burial site near the boundary of the project area;

·         avoid an area of heritage significance along the base of Mount Bruce;

·         relocate and/or record several Aboriginal sites.

The Premier said Dr Watson's decision was made in the general public interest while ensuring Aboriginal heritage sites of significance were protected.

Hamersley was yet to get final environmental clearances for mining but today's decision would allow the company to go ahead with essential test drilling.

The company had said that about 100 people would be working on the mine site within two weeks of such a decision.

The legislation would enshrine the consent agreement in law and ensure legal claims did not interfere unnecessarily with the progress of the project.

Dr Watson said that the Karijini Corporation had been consistent in its view on mining at Marandoo - its members wanted continued access to traditional lands but had not opposed mining because the resulting job prospects offered their children a brighter future.

"The Karijini want to be part of the economic development of the Pilbara and to have a share of the employment and other opportunities generated by mining," she said.

"It is important that Hamersley Iron should continue to discuss employment opportunities with the Karijini Corporation."