Ranger uranium mine and the Mirarr (Part 2), 2000–2014: ‘A risk to them is a risk to us’

Abstract

Reporting on data obtained from field research comprising interviews with key stakeholders, participant observation and shadowing of a senior member of the company's community relations team, this paper examines recent milestones in the relationship between Energy Resources of Australia, the operator of the Ranger uranium mine in Australia's Northern Territory, and Mirarr, the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the mine is located. Historically, this relationship was characterised by conflict and mistrust, with attendant negative social impacts and business risks, and perceptions of social risks. However, in the last 15 years, the mining company has adopted a changed approach to community engagement and actively has sought to respect and enable the rights of Mirarr. Using the lenses of human rights, social risk, business risk and social impact, the paper argues that the company's changed approach to engagement with its principal stakeholders has led to more positive and mutually beneficial development outcomes, a reduction in business risks, and the enabling of Mirarr rights. This paper constitutes the second of two papers charting the relationship over time between Mirarr and Energy Resources of Australia.