The Anindilyakwa Land Council, led by its CEO Mark Hewitt and chair Tony Wurramarrba, has come under scrutiny for investing $24 million (US$15.6 million) of the mining royalties it received in 2021-22 into a company co-owned and operated by them. The Council is responsible for managing the royalties from the world’s largest manganese mine on Groote Eylandt, the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which is part of the Northern Territory.
The Australian National Audit Office found that the money went to Winchelsea Mining, owned by the two men, through other organisations including the Groote Holdings Aboriginal Corporation (GHAC), and the Anindilyakwa Advancement Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC). The auditors noted that there was a high risk of conflicts of interest, given the influence of the chair and CEO on Council funding and management, plus their employment at GHAC and Winchelsea Mining.
In a report made in May 2023, auditors made 15 recommendations. The Council claims to have implemented 14 of these, which it describes as administrative and procedural in nature. However, concerns remain about conflicts of interest within the Council’s finance committee and the Land Council’s internal audit committee.
Despite the island’s wealth in manganese, the majority of the 1,500 Indigenous residents of Groote Eylandt continue to live in severe poverty. Their situation is made even more concerning as South 32’s GEMCO mine on Groote Eylandt is due to close in 2032 after 65 years in operation. Winchelsea Mining plans to invest in continued manganese mining on a small nearby island, but there are doubts regarding the viability of such an operation.
The company’s website also claims to be a joint venture between the Anindilyakwa Advancement Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC) and AUS China International Mining Pty Ltd., a company with ties to Chinese investors whom the CEO and chair met during a trip to China organized by the Northern Territory Chief Minister. Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney has stated that she will work with the Land Council to ensure that the ANAO’s recommendations are implemented.