It has been a messy, drawn-out process centred on a multi-billion-dollar mining hub which has divided the north-west WA town of Roebourne and placed local Indigenous families at war.
A long-running native title claim in the Pilbara over land where Andrew Forrest's Solomon Mine hub is located was resolved today when a Federal Court decision was handed down.
The dispute centres on royalty payments generated from the Fortescue Metals Group project, which is located to the north of Tom Price on Yindjibarndi land.
In 2003, the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation was recognised to hold native title rights over a parcel of land where the mines are located.
The corporation has since been fighting for an exclusive native title claim over this land.
After Yindjibarndi and FMG failed to reach an agreement on royalty payments in 2009, a splinter group — the Wirlu-Murra Aboriginal Corporation — broke away and began its own negotiations with the mining company.
Yindjibarndi and its CEO, Michael Woodley, were originally demanding a 5 per cent annual royalty from Mr Forrest's company, which they revised down to half a percent after receiving legal advice.
Wirlu-Murra wanted to accept Fortescue's offer of $4 million in royalties, along with further financial support for housing, community businesses and training.
In July 2015, Federal Court Justice Stephen Rares found Fortescue Metals had provided support and resources to Aboriginal elders from the Wirlu-Murra group, who were seeking to wrest control of Yindjibarndi away from the existing leadership.
This would have enabled Fortescue to enter into a formal agreement with Yindjibarndi on the financial terms proposed by Wirlu-Murra.
Fortescue had also previously awarded $200 million in service work on its Solomon hub to the Eastern Guruma and Wirlu-Murra Aboriginal corporations.
Yindjibarndi has previously stated it intends to sue Fortescue Metals Group should it be granted exclusive native title.
