The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation and mining giant Rio Tinto have entered into a co-management agreement, setting a new standard for engagement on heritage and social matters in the mining sector.

The agreement, pivotal for Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations on PKKP land, is aimed at fostering a collaborative relationship that prioritises the protection of cultural heritage and the environment.

It encompasses all of Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations on PKKP lands and empowers the traditional owners with a greater say in the management of their territories.

The deal also introduces a framework for knowledge-sharing and joint decision-making, ensuring that significant heritage sites are preserved and co-managed effectively throughout the mining life cycle.

The need for such a partnership was underscored by the widespread criticism following the destruction of Juukan Gorge, an event that caused profound distress to the PKKP community and led to a parliamentary inquiry into heritage protection laws in Australia.

The co-management agreement is a response to this, embedding commitments for collaboration from the early stages of exploration through to mine closure, as outlined in the Early Engagement Framework.

Pinikura traditional owner and chairperson of PKKP Aboriginal Corporation Terry Drage said: “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.”

This arrangement not only ensures the safeguarding of PKKP heritage but also provides Rio Tinto with clarity regarding its operations and development plans.

The agreement was finalised last month, ahead of the five-year anniversary of the Juukan Gorge incident, and underscores Rio Tinto’s commitment to working with the PKKP on the rehabilitation of the area, with a focus on preserving its cultural significance.

Furthermore, the deal includes robust measures for the active management of sites that will not be affected by mining activities.

These measures involve the implementation of protective buffers, blast management practices and fencing to safeguard important locations.