In a landmark move poised to redefine the relationship between Indigenous Traditional Owners and the mining industry in Australia, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation and global mining giant Rio Tinto have formally signed a comprehensive Co-Management Agreement. This historic accord, finalized last month, ensures the protection of significant Aboriginal heritage while providing operational certainty for Rio Tinto’s iron ore activities on PKKP Country.

The agreement serves as an overarching blueprint for Rio Tinto’s operations within PKKP ancestral lands. It meticulously formalizes the engagement process on all proposals that could affect heritage and social surroundings throughout the mine lifecycle. At its core, the agreement prioritizes knowledge-sharing and joint design, aiming to embed the preservation and co-management of significant heritage directly into the fabric of Rio Tinto’s operations.

Terry Drage, Pinikura Traditional Owner and Chairperson of the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation, underscored the profound impact of this agreement. "The effect of this agreement is that PKKP Traditional Owners will receive certainty that our important places on Country will be protected from mining, while at the same time Rio Tinto will receive certainty around where they can develop much earlier in the mine cycle," Drage stated. He concisely summarized the mutual benefits, adding, "Ultimately, this is good for us as Traditional Owners, and it is good for business."

The signing of this agreement carries particular weight given the painful history of the Juukan Gorge incident on May 24, 2020, where 46,000-year-old rock shelters, sacred to the PKKP, were destroyed by Rio Tinto. Simon Trott, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, addressed this profound tragedy directly. "The destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters... brought immeasurable pain to the PKKP and profoundly changed our company," Trott acknowledged. "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."

Trott credited the PKKP for their pivotal role in guiding Rio Tinto's renewed approach. "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," he said. This sentiment highlights a critical shift from mere consultation to genuine partnership and co-management.

The Co-Management Agreement is meticulously designed to provide the PKKP with ironclad certainty regarding the protection and management of their invaluable heritage. Concurrently, it offers Rio Tinto the predictability and clarity necessary for its ongoing operations and future development plans.

Beyond the operational framework, the agreement also reinforces Rio Tinto’s unwavering commitment to working collaboratively with the PKKP on the ongoing rehabilitation of the Juukan Gorge area. This shared effort will specifically focus on restoring and preserving its cultural heritage, a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation.