Indigenous Tree Planters Heal Mining Land in Tennant Creek

In a warm greenhouse in Tennant Creek, Warumungu woman Shauna Graham carefully presses soil around a young seedling that will soon grow on mining land just kilometers from her traditional country. The work makes her feel something she didn't expect: happy and proud.

Graham is part of a groundbreaking partnership between Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation and Tennant Mines that's putting Indigenous residents to work rehabilitating the Nobles Nob mine site. Traditional owners are nurturing native plants like red gums and morning glory, then planting them where mining once stripped the land bare.

"It makes me feel safe, close at home," Graham said. "Building things out there and making plans out there, growing for the future."

The project goes beyond simply meeting environmental obligations. Julalikari chief executive Lachlan Wilkins sees it as a chance to break cycles of unemployment and create meaningful career pathways in Tennant Creek, where job opportunities have historically been scarce.

"It creates an opportunity for people to get into meaningful jobs in an industry that's growing and has a long-term commitment here," Wilkins said. The mining company confirmed the partnership will extend over the long term and is critical to ensuring sustainable operations.

The current six-week trial is testing which plant species will thrive at the mine site. As that shared knowledge grows, so will the planting area and the number of jobs available.

The Ripple Effect

What excites Wilkins most is the impact beyond individual paychecks. When kids see their parents or siblings going to work instead of just training for work, they start to imagine their own futures differently.

"Kids see their mum and dad or their brother and sister get to work," he said. "Then there's a meaningful pathway."

Graham is already planning to bring her grandchildren, sons, and daughters to the site. "To keep that for them in future," she said.

The partnership creates a rare alignment: traditional owners healing their country, mining companies meeting their responsibilities, and community members building careers that matter. Everyone wins when environmental restoration becomes a pathway to employment and pride.