A key concern for ERA and the Government is the potential impact of mining on traditional Aboriginal

owners in the region.

To ensure these issues are fully addressed, a comprehensive social and cultural impact study of the
region was undertaken by a group of Aboriginal people within Kakadu region and a group of
stakeholders representatives.
ERA contributes half the funding for the Kakadu Region Social Impact Study (KRSIS). This study was an
independent assessment of the impact of mining on Aboriginal groups and tourism in the region and
provides a community action plan to deal with the regional impacts on the Aboriginal community.
Several submissions commented that the social impacts on the local aboriginal people appeared to
have been inadequately addressed. This comment is generally based on the well publicized opposition
of some of the Mirrar people to the mine development.
Discussions with the Traditional Owners has not been possible as they have distanced themselves for
the assessment process and will take no part in it.
The information provided in the following table illustrates new funding provided to the
Kakadu region, which addresses KRSIS recommendations.
Many projects have been assisted by the willingness of a number of participants to support
KRSIS initiatives by providing funding or in-kind resources.

Following consultations with the Northern Land Council, the company has agreed to provide additional
benefits to the local Aboriginal community over and above the $210 million in royalties the Jabiluka
mine is expected to generate for the Northern Territory Aboriginal community.

SOCIAL ISSUES
1. Housing
Jabiluka mining agreement provides for ERA to fund housing (within 80 km of Jabiru) to value of
$740,000 pa in each of the first ten years following commencement of production at Jabiluka. Housing
to be as determined by ERA and the Jabiluka Bininj Working Committee, with the houses to be serviced
and maintained by ERA.
Fundings will be allocated under two federally funded programs: National Aboriginal Health Strategy
(NAHS) and the Indigenous Housing Authority of the Northern Territory (IHANT)
Objectives:
- Provide: new housing approx. 65 Aboriginal families, housing upgrades and infrastructures to
outstations.
- Opportunity to learn a trade in the building and construction industry in their own community. A
training program is underway with trainees and apprentices learning trades such as plumbing,
painting and carpentry.
- Special attention given to improve infrastructure and amenities at the aboriginal community
within Jabiru township: internal roads, improve electricity and water supply, funding for streetlighting and fencing, negotiations of new management arrangements for cleaning, grounds
maintenance, etc.

2. Employment and Training

ERA committed to developing and implementing an Aboriginal Employment and Training plan under the
Jabiluka mining agreement. It addresses KRSIS recommendations and are available to Bininj and other
Aboriginal people in the mining, building, hospitality and other industries.
ERA is very supportive of the CDEP (Community Development Employment Program) and provides
funding and skills training to Aboriginal people in the Kakadu region. ERA continues to increase direct
employment opportunities such as Kakadu Toursm P/L traineeships, promote and support indirect
employment opportunities and to facilitate skill development of Aboriginal people.
Plans sponsored by ERA:
ERA Aboriginal Employment Program
ERA have committed to increase their level of Aboriginal employment at ERA from a current 20% to
40% over the next 3 years, (from 45 to 96 Aboriginal employees (40% of total employment). Areas:
clerical, apprenticeships, lab assistants, mill services, security, environmental, supply, heavy
equipment operators, human resources, etc.
ERA community Traineeship Program($850,000)
ERA has developed a 12-month traineeship program for Aboriginal employees as one of its strategies to
increase Aboriginal employment. The training will focus on developing literacy and numeracy skills and
self-confidence in the workforce. The training will be module based and provide the trainees with a
nationally accredited qualification. Trainees will be offered work in a variety of areas, depending on the
needs of the business. They will be paid at approved industry standard rates.

3. Education
ERA (through the Jabiluka mining agreement) will provide funding for a cross cultural program for school
staff and students and 50%of the establishment cost of an Aboriginal Education Unit.
The ERA commitment is for $200,000 in year and recurrent funding of $70,000 pa.
The Northern Territory Education Department establish an Aboriginal Education Centre. The centre
should include functions and programs as: language and culture programs, transitional classes,
breakfast/lunch programs.

4. Health and Safety

Stringent international requirements will not just be met but built upon. ERA will put in place safeguards
and work practices which ensure radiation exposure for employees is less than 20mSv (millisieverts)
per annum. This is below the level set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The
ICRP recommendation allows for an exposure of 100 mSv to be averaged over 5 years and that the
exposure in any one year must not exceed 50 mSv.
How? Multi-skilling, management and control of the ventilation system, special design features and
practices. The annual exposure for the most exposed workers (working underground) will be
approximately 12 mSv a year.
ERA has an excellent record in mine radiation safety. In its 18 years operation at Ranger, no worker has
been exposed to excess radiation.

5. Alcohol
Under the terms of the Jabiluka mining agreement ERA will pay an indexed $70,000 per annum for
addressing alcohol issues- for use on projects such as employment of a counsellor, development of a
community education plan and the establishment of a night patrol. The company, with the support of
the Gunbang Action Group, has also stopped takeaway alcohol sales from the Jabiru Sports and Social
club

CULTURAL ISSUES
1. Womens Resource Centre
ERA will provide, under the terms of the Jabiluka mining agreements, $250,000 for establishment and a
further $100,000 pa for a Womens Resource Centre

2. Communication
ERA is to implement cross cultural training for all staff.

3. Cultural Places
ERA has undertaken a cultural survey (stage 1) of the JMA mine site in accordance with requirements of
the Minister for Resources and Energy. No prehistoric archaeological sites, no isolated artefacts and no
historically significant archaeological material were identified.
Stage 2 of the survey, covering the haul road and other relevant areas, is yet to be conducted.
Recommendation 17
The proponent is to conduct stage 2 of the cultural, archaeological and heritage survey
prior to construction of the Ranger-Jabiluka access road.
ERA staff is restricted to the mine site, access roads and development areas. They do not have access
to the majority of the lease, including the AHC areas.
Traditional Owners have access to all of the lease area, with the exception of approximately 4% of the
area which is restricted for safety reasons.

General Conclusion
The social impact assessment in the EIS found the impacts of the Jabiluka mine were likely to be
relatively limited
The assessment found that Jabiru provided a full range of community facilities and services that would
normally be expected of a much larger town
If the Jabiluka process did not go ahead, the life of the Ranger operation would be significantly
shortened and would adversely impact the long-term viability of the township of Jabiru.
Mining is the single largest employer in the area, accounting for 37% of the employed labour force. It is
likely that most people employed by ERA would leave the area when mining ceased. This would place

considerable strain on the viability of community services, such as health and education, and the local
and regional economy. This reduced level of service and amenity would impact on the quality of life of
those living in the region.