Martu land council terminates mining agreement

The land council representing the Martu native title area has today terminated an agreement with potash mining companies, Holocene and Reward Minerals, following a serious breach.

The Kumpupintil Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between Jamukurnu-Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC), Holocene Pty Ltd (Holocene) and Reward Minerals Ltd was related to the Kumpupintil potash project (formerly known as the Lake Disappointment potash project).

The ILUA contains a key clause that requires JYAC be given 60 days’ prior written notice of the company’s intention to voluntarily surrender or relinquish its project titles, giving JYAC the option to acquire mining tenements over the location on behalf of Martu.

Holocene surrendered the project titles on 22 July 2024 without informing the land council as required. 

Just 38 minutes after they were surrendered, another company lodged applications for a series of mining tenements in that same location, depriving the land council of the opportunity to consider applying for them on behalf of Martu traditional owners.

“In response to this serious breach, we have written to Reward and Holocene to inform them that the Kumpupintil ILUA has been terminated, effective immediately,” said interim chief executive officer, Rewi Lyall.

“Martu have exclusive possession native title rights over their ngurra. Companies who come here know that when they make agreements to use Martu land, JYAC takes those agreements seriously.

“The companies agreed to give Martu the first opportunity to take ownership of its project titles or peg mining tenements over the location, but their actions allowed another company to take the area instead.

“JYAC will now consider the extent of this loss to Martu, and pursue compensation through the courts if necessary.”