#Australia - Concerns over #GreatArtesianBasin water impacts in new #BHP agreement

By Kathryn Bermingham, Thomas Kelsall
Sun 14 Jun

Excerpt: "#Environmentalists and #FirstNations groups say a new agreement between the #SouthAustralian government and BHP, set to be passed by state parliament this week, does not do enough to end water extraction from the Great Artesian Basin.

"They also say their concerns have not been taken seriously and that they have been shut out of the consultation process.

"The government announced last month it would introduce a bill to 'modernise' the #OlympicDam indenture — a legislated contract with BHP that governs mining operations.

"The updated indenture broadens BHP's #mining lease and removes caps on #copper production, paving the way for a potential major expansion.

"It also addresses water access, stipulating that BHP must stop drawing water from its Great Artesian Basin Wellfield A by 2036.

"But it allows continued access to BHP's other #wellfield, despite the concerns of #TraditionalOwners and environmentalists that extraction is damaging the local mound springs."

Read more:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-15/concerns-over-impacts-on-water-extraction-new-bhp-agreement/106787780

#AusPol #WaterIsLife #IndigenousAustralians #ExtractiveActivities #CopperMining

All Nine #SouthDakota Tribes Pass Resolutions Supporting Developing Legislation To Return #FederalLands: #LakotaNation United in Effort for #BlackHills Federal Lands Return

By NDN Collective • June 9, 2026

Rapid City, SD –"All nine South Dakota Tribes have voted to move forward on developing legislation to return federal lands in the Black Hills to the #GreatSiouxNation – a historic display of Tribal unity and momentum around efforts to protect the Black Hills.

"At a recent tribal council meeting, the #CheyenneRiverSioux Tribe passed a resolution to move forward on working together to protect sacred sites, clean drinking water, and ensure better land management through the development of legislation to return federal lands in the Black Hills to the Great Sioux Nation.

"The proposal — which is still in early draft form — aims to return federal lands in the Black Hills back to the #OcetiSakowin, providing a framework for land return and management. The proposal does not involve privately owned lands, and it does not settle or involve claims by the Great Sioux Nation regarding the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty.

"Right now, there are 8,800 active #mining claims in South Dakota – about 17 percent of the entire Black Hills. The legal strategy would protect the Black Hills from all #ExtractiveActivities and preserve clean drinking water for all.

"#Indigenous organizations, elders, grassroots leaders, and community members have been organizing and providing support around proposed legislation since 2020, helping Tribal leaders prioritize this proposal as a critical way to protect drinking water for the region, preserve sacred sites, revitalize culture and land, strengthen sovereignty, bolster community wellbeing, and support jobs and economic development.

" 'The Oceti Sakowin people are coming together to claim the land that is rightfully and legally owed to us,' said #MadonnaThunderHawk, Cheyenne River Sioux elder. 'We are here to say, loud and clear, that the Black Hills are not for sale. We love our land, and will continue defending it – from Pe’ Sla to #CravenCanyon and beyond.”

“#CrazyHorse set the bar on how to move as Indigenous people, and how important it is to defend the Black Hills,” said Joseph Brings Plenty Sr., District 5 Council Representative for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. 'Together, we are strong – we need to be stronger than ever because we are fighting for an existence on our very own land.' "

Read more:
https://ndncollective.org/all-nine-south-dakota-tribes-pass-resolutions-supporting-developing-legislation-to-return-federal-lands/

#LandBack #IndigenousNews #NativeAmericanNews #USPol #PeSla #NoMining #WaterIsLife
#InTheSpiritOfCrazyHorse