The WA government has finalised a land use agreement with Native Title owners of Tjiwarl land, which covers 13,000 square kilometers of land in the northern Goldfields and is home to several mine sites.Following Federal Court mediation, the state government and the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation (TAC) has established the Tjiwarl Palyakuwa agreement.The agreement includes the settlement of three native title compensation claims in the region, which were initially lodged against the state in 2020.Under the agreement, TAC will have greater authority in negotiating requests for exploration, mining tenements and petroleum titles on their land.Tjiwarl Country has been the site of mining exploration and projects since the late 1960s.The corporation has already formed several agreements with mining projects on the land, including a work ready training program with BHP Nickel West at their Mt Keith and Leinster mines, and a cultural heritage management agreement with Liontown Resources’ Kathleen Valley lithium project.More recently, TAC signed an agreement with Perth based power producer Zenith Energy, before forming a joint venture earlier this month.The state will also provide compensation for historic state activity on Tjiwarl land, as well as outline guidance for future land use.Notably, this will include $25.5 million monetary compensation, recognition of Native Title rights and transfer of ownership of land parcels to TAC, and the creation of Tjiwarl Conservation Estate.TAC chair Brett Lewis said this agreement acknowledges the impact of these projects on their people and culture, and will properly address managing heritage, culture and environment in the future.The negotiations included a two day on-Country visit for a cultural awareness experience, which was attended by minister for Aboriginal Affairs Tony Buti.“I am excited to see this agreement come into effect and I look forward to working further with TAC to implement the commitments we have made for the benefit of Tjiwarl people and their future generations,” Mr Buti said.TAC chief executive Greg Ryan-Gadsden said he commends the state government for their “good faith” in negotiations.”The settlement provides certainty for Tjiwarl, the state government and industry in how tenure, heritage, and environment is managed within the determination area, and we are hopeful it provides a foundation to guide other native title groups to reach similar outcomes,” he said.Premier Mark McGowan said Native Title is integral in supporting economic and social self-determination for Traditional Owners.“More than 85 per cent of the state is now covered by native title determinations – most reached by consent,” he said.”The Tjiwarl Palyakula agreement is the culmination of a lot of work by many people and I congratulate everyone involved.”