Business Issue: Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder partnership benefits aboriginal community

In a remote part of northern Australia, our Gove bauxite mining and alumina facility has spearheaded a unique partnership to help ensure future employment opportunities for indigenous people of the region.

For thirty years Alcan's bauxite mining and alumina processing operation (operating as Nabalco) in the Northern Territory has bridged the gap between industry, community and the environment by pioneering relationships with aboriginal people to ensure equity and continued access to regional resources.

In partnership with Yirrkala Business Enterprises (YBE), a local aboriginal company, and with 50% funding from both the federal and state governments, the YBE Nabalco Operator Training School was born. The training school provides indigenous students with nationally accredited, practical training in equipment operation, road construction, earthworks and mining. In addition, the school offers educational modules in life skills, work routines, health and safety, and financial management.

Alcan provides administration offices, equipment, training school facilities and instructors, as well as the remaining funding of the program. Annual program costs are approximately AUS$917,000. The 50% government financial support has been secured for two years.

Of the 30 original program participants, 19 graduated in February 2002 with a Certificate in Mining and Civil Plant Operations. The graduates also gained employment in a range of businesses including YBE, the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Environment, and various community organizations. A second 30-week session began in April 2002 with another 24 trainees.

The successful debut of the training school aptly proves that a balance can exist between conservation and development, and that mutually beneficial partnerships between aboriginal people and industry are possible and worthwhile.