New Century mine has awarded a training contract to a local indigenous joint venture group.
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Waanyi ReGen Joint Venture a 50:50 joint venture between Waanyi Enterprises, representing the Waanyi People, and ReGen, a Downer Group subsidiary business, have been awarded a landmark contract by Century Mining Limited to provide training services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities near the mine.
The WRJV, which includes three members from each joint venture party, represents a significant step forward for the representation of the Waanyi People, the traditional owners of the Century Mine site.
Since July 2016 WRJV have been carrying out care and maintenance activities at Century Mine, five hours north of Mount Isa, in the Lower Gulf.
The workforce is comprised of 40 per cent Waanyi personnel and Waanyi PBC, chaired by Alec Doomadgee, has been campaigning to increase this representation, which this contract will deliver.
Mr Doomadgee said New Century’s decision to award the contract has broader implications for Waanyi People in the Lower Gulf, by providing new economic and social opportunities where previously few were available.
“This is the first time in the Lower Gulf Region’s history that a contract of this nature has been awarded to the Traditional Owners of the land on which the mining activity has occurred, and signals the dawn of a new era in the Gulf,” Mr Doomadgee said.
“This is what Aboriginal self determination and independence looks like, as we now have genuine pathways for our people to become self sufficient and to determine their own future.
“We are training tomorrow's leaders of the Gulf on our own land, and I look forward to watching them grow to become masters of their own future.”