On November 17, Aboriginal protesters stepped up their protest at the Pasminco Century Mine. Around 150 to 200 Aborigine men, women and children are staging a sit -in and barricade at the mine site, demanding more jobs and greater economic and social benefits for their community. The protest comes in response to a failure in negotiations for the re-writing and renewal of the Gulf Community Agreement. Aboriginal protesters are upset with what they see as the failure of Pasminco Century Mining to deliver promised benefits to the area.
The Gulf Community Agreement was signed in 1997 against the wishes of local Aboriginal communities and unions - who foresaw potential for negative social impacts. The mine is set to become the world's largest producer of zinc, and includes a slurry pipeline running through Aboriginal land - the major source of concern to Aborigines. The agreement was designed to give the Aboriginal community compensation for the use of their land and also jobs. The Gulf Community Agreement gives the mining company access to the region for 20 years, but must be renegotiated every five years.
The first set of re-negotiations between the groups began earlier this year. But Aboriginal groups have been disappointed by what they site as a lack of commitment by the state government and Pasminco with regards the welfare of the Aboriginal community. The Aborigines have staged the sit-in as an attempt to make their voices heard. A representative of the protesters has stated that their actions are directed at the company owners and Pasminco's policies, not at the workers, who may suffer economically from the work stoppage.
Reports from the mine have described the protest as peaceful, though protesters have described the use of intimidation by '20 armed men'. Authorities have denied the allegations and have reported that 18 unarmed officials are only maintaining a 'discreet vigilance'. Authorities have confirmed however that a Tactical Response Group has been sent to the mine.
The deployment of the Tactical Response Group and reports of intimidation has prompted the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Commission (ATSIC) to criticize the police response to the protest. ATSIC Chairman Geoff Clark said that the police have overreacted to the incident and that the deployment of the Tactical Response Group was heavy-handed. Further tension between the Aboriginal protesters and the authorities have been mounting due to a statement made by Aboriginal activist Murrandeo Yanner, who has called on other Aborigines to take up arms to defend the “peaceful protest”. Authorities have condemned the statement as “highly irresponsible”.
