McArthur River Project Compensation Claim

McArthur River Mine is the first litigated decision following a native title compensation claim in relation to a large-scale mining development.

Justice Banks-Smith made orders and published reasons on 27 February 2026. The judgment is now publicly accessible at:

https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2026/2026fca0153  

In summary, her Honour ordered that the Claim Group is entitled to $743,408 for compensation for economic loss, plus interest and $54 million for cultural loss. Professors David Trigger and John Bradley produced the anthropological report.

There are some implications for future anthropological research and professional involvement in native title compensation claims.

See also ABC's news story on this landmark decision https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-27/nt-mcarthur-river-mine-case-traditional-owners-win-compensation/106398116