BHP Billiton Iron Ore has signed a significant native title agreement with traditional owners of land in the Pilbara.

The deal allows miners to operate on their country for one hundred years.

The deal covers BHP’s existing and future mining operations in the area.

The agreement covers an area of 8,000 sq. Km northeast of the mining town of Newman and west toward Port Hedland, where the company has port and rail facilities.

“The agreement provides a long-term certainty for both BHP’s future developments and the Banjima people’s requirement to respect their lands,” BHP Billiton Iron Ore president Jimmy Wilson said.

“It moves us away from transaction-based engagement to an ongoing and open relationship that will span generations to come.”

The Banjima people first gained their native title rights in 2013, and are expected to receive benefits and access to employment, as well as royalty payments of an unspecified amount.

The payments to the Banjima people will reportedly be based on BHP’s iron ore production and the price of the commodity, and could reach well into the millions.

The Banjima people and BHP have not formalised any plans for training and employment opportunities or support for Aboriginal business development.