GEMCO announced today that it had signed a new agreement for its 9 mining leases at a special ceremony held at the Angurugu Aboriginal community located on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory.

Mr Lucas Dow, General Manager of GEMCO and leaders of the Anindilyakwa Land Council, representing the Traditional Owners signed the new agreement extending the mining leases for a further 25 years to 2031.

"This new agreement is fundamental to our efforts to assist the local Groote Eylandt people to become self-sufficient through effective sustainable development strategies.

"GEMCO has mined on Groote Eylandt for more than 40 years and we are proud of the open and honest relationship we have with the local people.

"Our relationship with the Traditional owners of Groote Eylandt has enabled the negotiation of this agreement to be seamless. The agreement provides direction for the sustainable long term future of both the local people and the company," he said.