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Thursday, 21st September 2006 (3857 views)

Boddington Gold Mine is to offer 100 jobs and further apprentices to Aboriginal people over the life of its new mine, The Australian reports.

The deal was struck between Boddington and its owners Newmont-AngloGold Ashanti, following a year-long negotiation with the local Noongar people. Some local indigenous children have already begun pre-apprenticeship training as part of the agreement.

The Noongar people recently won a claim over land in and around Perth. Federal Court judge Justice Murrary Wilcox declared that they were the traditional owners of an area of nearly 200,000 square kilometres.

Prime Minister John Howard has expressed "considerable concern" at the decision, however, claiming that it seems to be at odds with another important ruling.

Boddington Gold Mine says that "consulting with our local community is essential to our operations and we are committed to ensuring our presence benefits the community of which we are part".

 

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