UN study to examine impact of Australian mining industry on aboriginal communities

A study undertaken by the UN on the impact of the global resources sector on the world’s indigenous communities is set to make the Australian mining industry an area of focus.

According to the Australian the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people James Anaya will be visting Australia next week as part of the study whose ultimate goal will be the establishment of international guidelines for mining companies.

Anaya will attend a round table held by the National Congress of Australia’s First People on August 20 and 21 in Melbourne, where he will meet with representatives of Australian indigenous communities, federal government officials and members of the mining industry.

Relations between Australia’s indigenous communities and its flourishing mining sector have been a frequent source of conflict as rich mineral deposits are often situated beneath land subject to native title, with disputes over the Olympic Dam uranium mine being one of the most recent examples.

Aboriginal communities from Western Australia, where disputes with the mining sector have been especially fraught, have expressed strong interest in participating in the round table.

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