An indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) and right to negotiate agreement (RNA) have been signed between BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, the Ghungalu and the Kangoulu Peoples, and the Queensland Government, covering land on which the Blackwater coal mine is located in Central Queensland. The ILUA includes land claimed by the Ghungalu and the Kangoulu.  

Representatives of the Ghungalu People and the Kangoulu People commenced discussions with South Blackwater Coal Limited in mid-1999, and a Right to Negotiate process was formally commenced in May 2000 in relation to part of the South Blackwater Mine.

Discussions between the parties since that time involving the State and the Gurang Land Council have resulted in agreement being reached for an ILUA to cover the whole of the recently integrated Blackwater and South Blackwater mine areas.

The Agreements contain a mechanism for managing Aboriginal cultural heritage areas identified by the Ghungalu and Kangoulu Peoples as potentially significant. Other provisions of the Agreement relate to contracting and employment opportunities and cultural awareness.

Following its registration in accordance with the Native Title Act, the ILUA will ensure the continued development of the integrated Blackwater-South Blackwater mining operations.

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, a jointly-owned entity of BHP Billiton Limited and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd, owns and operates the Blackwater Mine.

South Blackwater Mine's open cut operations have been integrated with those of the Blackwater Mine to create one of Australia's largest coal mines capable of producing an estimated 14 million tonnes of metallurgical and thermal coal annually.