Gold Fields and Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation sign historic Native Title Agreement

A significant new chapter has opened in Western Australia’s northern Goldfields, with Gold Fields and the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation signing a landmark Native Title Agreement covering the Agnew gold mine.

The agreement follows years of respectful engagement and reflects a shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage, creating opportunities, and building long-term value for the Tjiwarl People. It is both a recognition of history and a pathway to a stronger future.

Protecting culture, empowering communities

Central to the agreement is the development of a Cultural Heritage Asset Management Plan.

This plan will bring together Tjiwarl knowledge holders and heritage professionals to create protocols that protect sacred sites, respect cultural traditions, and ensure environmental integrity is upheld.

The agreement also opens doors for economic empowerment. Gold Fields has committed to employment and contracting pathways that support Tjiwarl-owned businesses, grow skills, and establish sustainable partnerships.

These opportunities are designed to create income and build resilience, helping communities achieve long-term self-determination.

Beyond jobs and business opportunities, the partnership will also deliver investment into social and community initiatives.

Education, health and wellbeing, housing, and training — areas identified by the Tjiwarl People themselves — will be priorities.

Each of these is vital to overcoming systemic barriers and building stronger futures for the next generation.

A partnership built on respect

For the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation, the signing is the culmination of years of negotiation and relationship building.

Chair Brett Lewis said the agreement represents a significant achievement.

“After years of negotiations, this agreement reflects our commitment to build relationships and to partner in creating a strong future for our people,” he said.

Gold Fields Chief Executive Officer Mike Fraser said the agreement symbolises a long-term commitment to partnership.

“It reflects a shared commitment to walking together — protecting cultural heritage and creating enduring benefits for the Tjiwarl People,” he said.

Why it matters

The Agnew agreement is a clear example of how the gold industry can work in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners to deliver outcomes that last well beyond the life of a mine.

It demonstrates that mining and cultural stewardship can coexist, with benefits flowing not only to the company and its workforce, but to communities and generations to come.

For the broader industry, it’s a powerful reminder that meaningful engagement and collaboration are essential to building trust and creating enduring value.

The Gold Fields–Tjiwarl partnership shows what can be achieved when respect and shared purpose guide the way forward.