Rio Tinto and the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation have signed a co-management agreement for the iron ore operations on PKKP Country. It formalises how the miner and Traditional Owners engage on proposals affecting heritage and social surroundings throughout the mine lifecycle.
“The destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters on the 24th of May 2020 brought immeasurable pain to the PKKP and profoundly changed our company,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott.
“Our actions were wrong. We failed to uphold our company values, and our systems and processes were inadequate. Simply put, it should never have happened, and for that we will forever be sorry.
“Through the open and gracious sharing of knowledge and experiences, the PKKP have helped to shape a renewed approach to managing cultural heritage protection and mining activities.”
The agreement will ensure knowledge-sharing and joint design is at the centre of Rio Tinto’s operations on PKKP Country, so significant heritage is preserved and co-managed. It provides certainty for the PKKP in protecting and managing their heritage and for Rio Tinto assurance regarding its operations and development.
The broader terms of the agreement were finalised and signed last month, ahead of the five-year anniversary of the Juukan Gorge tragedy.
Source: Rio Tinto