Northern Star Resources Limited has recently expanded its highly successful fee for service (FFS) Aboriginal Ranger employment program to its Kalgoorlie operations.
The inaugural Goldfields Land and Sea Council Rangers Team at Kanowna Belle
Operating at the Company’s Jundee mine since 2012, the Ranger FFS model engages Aboriginal people as environmental experts and to provide core environmental compliance services to Northern Star mining and exploration programs.
Teams of Aboriginal Rangers are engaged through a professional service agreement on a one week per month basis, and undertake work through the site Environmental and Social Responsibility Department. Rangers undertake a range of duties such as exploration land rehabilitation (drill hole rehab, seeding), feral animal control, invasive weed management, groundwater compliance monitoring, asset protection fire management and materials recycling.
Northern Star Principal of Government Relations, Environment & Social Responsibility Dr Guy Singleton said the program provides a unique opportunity for Aboriginal people in remote communities to utilise their extensive environmental management skills and passion for economic benefit, with the monthly work roster allowing participants to continue to meet their significant cultural obligations.
"It also serves as a career pathway for Aboriginal students, with the Wiluna Remote Community School providing upper-school Ranger training through a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management.
"This means school leavers are well positioned to take up jobs in environmental management as Aboriginal Rangers on their traditional lands and at Northern Star’s Jundee mine," Guy said.
The latest team of Aboriginal Rangers to be engaged are the Goldfields Land and Sea Council (GLSC) Rangers, who now have an ongoing role at Northern Star’s Kalgoorlie operations as a result of their valuable contribution to maintaining full environmental compliance.
GLSC Project Manager Anthony Sherlock said the team were currently completing their Certificate III Conservation and Land Management, which includes valuable tickets such as front-end loader, chainsaws, skid steer, 4x4, weed control and fencing.
“The Aboriginal people of the region have been looking after and managing their traditional country for over 60,000 years,” said Anthony.
“Our rangers and their elders have unique knowledge, responsibilities and skillsets that can add great value to contemporary land and resource management.”
“Our Ranger Program utilises local Aboriginal people with connection to Country who take great pride in their work, their country and their responsibilities regarding its sustainable management and future viability,” Anthony concluded.
The Goldfields Land and Sea Council, GLSC is the peak Aboriginal body of the Goldfields and Esperance regions of Western Australia. It boasts an all Aboriginal board, membership and a Conservation and Land Management Ranger Program.
Northern Star openly encourages other Kalgoorlie-based miners to consider engaging the GLSC Rangers, who have to date provided an incident-free and highly professional service.
If companies wish to find out more about Northern Star’s Ranger FFS experience, please direct your queries to info@nsrltd.com