"NT government and Glencore mine accused of misusing millions meant for Indigenous owners", 28 June 2021

The Northern Territory government and a massive lead and zinc mine have been accused of misusing millions of dollars set aside for the benefit of traditional owners.

Glencore’s McArthur River Mine set up the $32m community benefits trust in 2007 as a condition of expanding its operation, about 750km south-east of Darwin.

The fund was supposed to help people in the remote Borroloola region, which has a population of about 1,200, 76% of whom are Aboriginal, with an average age of 22 years.

But it has mostly been used to pay for government infrastructure projects and a mine jobs program, Australian National University anthropologist Sean Kerins said.

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Brisbane-based trust manager Plan C director Jim Gleeson said he was surprised by the allegations.

“The trust is not being dictated by a Glencore or NT government representative at all,” he said. “It’s been very successful and highly valued by the community.”

Gleeson said the trust’s project officers had a good connection with the community and the local directors were highly engaged.

In a statement, the NT government and trust directors said the CBT was governed by an independent board with nine members.

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“The government is satisfied significant CBT funds are being allocated to community programs for the NT Gulf region and these have resulted in significant benefits across areas including education, health and culture,” according to a spokesman.

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