Cultural Heritage Management
Metro’s flagship project, the Bauxite Hills Mine, is located on Ankamuthi Country, approximately 95 kilometres north of Weipa on Western Cape York, Queensland.
In 2017, a Native Title Determination in favour of the Ankamuthi People was made over all the land upon which the Bauxite Hills Mine operates.
Metro has a strong working relationship with the Ankamuthi People and together have executed the Bauxite Hills Mine – Ancillary Agreement. The Ancillary Agreement was established between Metro, the Traditional Owners – the Ankamuthi People and the Northern Cape York #1 People – and the Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation (OMAC (the trustee landowner)). It sets out the undertakings of the parties and a regime for the implementation of those undertakings, and has the effect of streamlining administration and ongoing monitoring.
The Ancillary Agreement includes the provision of employment and training opportunities for Ankamuthi People, business development and contracting opportunities for Indigenous businesses, and payment of mining benefits to both the Ankamuthi People and OMAC for the life of the projects.
Metro also has in place a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement with the Ankamuthi People. The Cultural Heritage Management Agreement is approved under section 107 of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003. The purpose of the Cultural Heritage Management Agreement is to ensure Metro complies with the established cultural heritage protection provisions. The Cultural Heritage Management Agreement covers the protection and management of all Indigenous cultural heritage at site during mining operations undertaken by Metro, its employees and contractors. The Cultural Heritage Management Agreement includes processes for the protection of Indigenous cultural heritage, the need for and conduct of cultural heritage surveys and monitoring and processes for addressing disputes between the parties.