The history of Gumala and the Yandi Land Use Agreement
In March 1997, the Nyiyaparli, Banyjima and Innawonga peoples signed the historical Yandi Land Use Agreement with Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto). Gumala Aboriginal Corporation was created in 1996 to represent the collective interests of the Traditional Owners in the negotiations with Hamersley Iron and to develop and sign the Agreement.
The Agreement was the first major land use agreement to be signed in Australia. It enabled Hamersley Iron to proceed with developing the Yandicoogina mine, located on the Hamersley Ranges of the Pilbara region (Banyjima, Innawonga and Nyiyaparli traditional lands). Gumala Aboriginal Corporation's head office in Tom Price is located approximately 120km west of the Yandicoogina mine.
The Agreement ensures that benefits will be delivered to the Banyjima, Nyiyaparli and Innawonga people for the life of the Yandi mine. These benefits include: Education, training and employment opportunities and initiatives; Heritage protection work; In-kind assistance for community development; Community development; Health and well-being programs.
The life of the Yandicoogina mine was initially expected to be 20 years, although it is likely that this will be extended via the options which are available under the Yandi Agreement. The Agreement sets out how income and other benefits are to be managed and distributed to the Gumala Traditional Owners.
Two charitable trusts were established for the distribution of the income from the Agreement – the General Gumala Foundation and the Foundation for the Elderly and Infirm. During the first five years, income from the Yandi Agreement went to both trusts. However, the General Gumala Foundation is now the only trust still in operation.
Gumala Investments Pty Ltd - The General Gumala Foundation Trustee
The General Gumala Foundation was established as a public benevolent institution for the objects of the relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune or destitution of the Traditional Owners, particularly those Traditional Owners in the Pilbara Region.
Gumala Investments Pty Ltd was incorporated for the sole purpose of acting as the Trustee of the General Gumala Foundation while Gumala Aboriginal Corporation was appointed to manage the General Gumala Foundation. The General Gumala Foundation receives royalties from the Yandi Land Use Agreement.
The role of Gumala Investment Pty Ltd is as follows:
- Consider project funding at community level,
- Manage and maintain the capital base of the General Foundation, and
- Undertake other income earning activities and investments.
Gumala Investments Pty Ltd is a company incorporated under the Corporation Act 2001 and wholly owned by Gumala Aboriginal Corporation. The Gumala Investments Pty Ltd Board is made up of six Directors: three independent Directors and one Director from each of the three language groups.
As the Manager to the General Gumala Foundation, Gumala Aboriginal Corporation is responsible for consulting with the Traditional Owners, developing, researching and preparing proposals for investments, community projects and other matters falling within the objects of the General Foundation and putting forward those proposals to the Trustee.