Building a sustainable future through Traditional Owner Joint Venture

About Us

Aurukun Bauxite Development (ABD) is a subsidiary of Australian Indigenous Resources (AIR). In 2011, AIR was was approached by the Wik and Wik Way People of Western Cape York through their Prescribed Body Corporate Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation (NAK). NAK began working with AIR to develop a proposal to mine the bauxite resource (Restricted Area 315) located on their native title land.

ABD developed an Australian-first joint venture agreement with NAK which positioned the Traditional Owner group as an owner and active participant in developing the resource. Under the agreement, NAK would receive:

  •  a 15% non-diluting share in any product generated under the joint venture for the life of the mine

  • the right to appoint two of the five board members

  • a commitment to employing 70% local Indigenous people in seven years

  • complete indemnity against any claim or loss suffered in relation to the joint venture. 

The NAK/ABD joint venture has the potential to transform the relationship between Native Title Holders and those wishing to operate on native title land.

A ground-breaking Agreement, delivering ownership and management involvement to Aurukun Native Title Holders 

In 2014, ABD signed an exclusive Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with NAK, setting out the terms of our joint venture. Traditional Owners hold a direct equity interest in the business and are represented in governance arrangements, ensuring meaningful involvement in decision-making.

In December 2025 we are pleased to announce that the we have renewed our commitment to the joint venture by signing a new, 10-year ILUA with NAK under the same terms as the 2014 agreement.