Aboriginal groups in Northern Australia are again looking at a contentious proposal to mine the seabed near Groote Eylandt, which is rich in manganese.
In a joint statement the Northern Land Council (NLC) and the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC), which represent the interest of indigenous people in Groote Eylandt and Northern Australia, confirmed they were re-examining the issue.
"At a meeting of the two councils yesterday, it was decided a taskforce would be formed using resources from both organisations to implement the most effective plan for the protection of these waters," the statement said.
Groote Eylandt boasts the world's largest manganese mine, which produces about 15 per cent of the world's high-grade ore.
More of the precious resource is thought to exist in the shallow seabed around the island in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Manganese is used as a component to make high-tensile steel.
The ALC's chairman, Tony Wurramarrba, said traditional owners would oppose any mining that had "significant cultural, environment and social impacts" on Aboriginal people in the Gulf.
This is not the first time the issue has been considered by his group.
In 2010, Mr Wurramarrba there was "complete opposition by everyone who has a traditional relationship with this country to any proposal to mine the seas around Groote Eylandt".
The NLC's chairman, Wali Wunungmurra, said on Thursday cultural integrity was paramount to both land councils.
"Protecting the songlines, dreamings and traditional values of our TOs (traditional owners) will always come before anything else," Mr Wunungmurra said.
Mining company Northern Manganese Ltd holds exploration rights for eight of shallow marine terrain and two islands near Groote Eylandt.
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