OREANDA-NEWS. An Aboriginal traditional owner group will assume full day to day control of a Rio Tinto pastoral operation for the first time after the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation today signed an agreement to sub lease the historic Karratha station.

Rio Tinto chief executive Iron Ore and Australia Andrew Harding said the agreement signalled a new era in the management of Karratha Station, which has been owned and managed by Rio Tinto since 1966.

“We are delighted that Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation was successful in their tender for the Karratha Station sub lease. Their successful management of Mount Welcome Station, which adjoins Karratha Station, made them a natural choice for us,” Mr Harding said.

“I am particularly pleased that an Aboriginal traditional owner group was the successful tenderer. It is the first time an Aboriginal Corporation has fully operated one of our six pastoral businesses. We are committed to working in partnership to help promote further economic participation by Aboriginal people.”

Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation executive officer Belinda Churnside said planning was already underway for the management of Karratha Station.

“As well as providing us with a kickstart for the next stage of our pastoral business, the agreement means so much to the Ngarluma people. As traditional owners, the Aboriginal people were the backbone of the pastoral industry when it started. Their knowledge of water resources, the best grazing areas and deep understanding of the land has set pastoral stations up for success,” Ms Churnside said.

“We are excited about the opportunity this sub lease is going to offer everyone - young and old - in both running the pastoral station and allowing us to spend more time on our traditional lands.”