Rio Tinto and Yindjibarndi people strengthen ties with updated agreement
November 09 2022 - 4:00PM
Business Wire
Rio Tinto and Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) have
signed an updated agreement aimed at strengthening ties and
delivering improved social and economic outcomes for the
Yindjibarndi people for generations to come.
The updated agreement, delivered as part of Rio Tinto’s
commitment to modernise its relationships with Traditional Owners,
was signed yesterday on Yindjibarndi Country at Jirndawirrinha
(Millstream), a location that is central to the Yindjibarndi
people’s identity and spiritual beliefs, holding an important story
about Barrimirndi, the Dreamtime serpent that travelled from the
sea to the desert.
Rio Tinto’s rail network, which connects its Pilbara mines to
ports at Cape Lambert and Dampier in Western Australia, traverses
through Yindjibarndi Country. YAC is the representative body for
the Yindjibarndi people, which Rio Tinto has held a Participation
Agreement and Indigenous Land Use Agreement with since 2013.
The agreement builds on this partnership and reflects a deeper
commitment to work together to create more opportunities for
Yindjibarndi people to participate in Rio Tinto’s operations,
including direct and indirect employment opportunities, and build
sustainable long-term benefits to the community.
Part of the agreement includes support for YAC to deliver the
outcomes of its 3C Strategy, which is focussed on developing
Community, Commercial and Culture projects and programmes to assist
YAC to fulfil its aspirations of self-determination. These programs
support the Yindjibarndi people's aspirations to build capacity and
capability, as well as support initiatives that will preserve,
sustain and celebrate culture.
Rio Tinto continues to work with YAC to develop a new model to
inform the co-management of Country and decision-making in relation
to Rio Tinto activities on Yindjibarndi country, with plans to
implement it in 2023.
YAC Chief Executive Officer, Michael Woodley, said “This new
agreement represents a true partnership demonstrating mutual trust
and commitment where we both apply our best resources to engage,
plan and deliver outcomes that can improve the lives of
Yindjibarndi members”.
“The partnership will help build resilient and prosperous
communities, strengthen our spiritual and cultural heritage, and,
through strategic business partnerships, create a successful
economic model for self-determination for the Yindjibarndi Nation
that can endure for generations to come.”
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott said: “We are
working hard to re-engage with Traditional Owners and change the
way we operate”.
“This agreement with the Yindjibarndi people is the first
delivered as part of our commitment to modernise our relationship
with Traditional Owners on whose land we operate. It is a
demonstration of our commitment to working differently and truly
partnering with Traditional Owners to support the achievement of
their goals and aspirations. I look forward to seeing what we can
achieve with the Yindjibarndi people over the years to come.”
Note to the editor:
Approximately 350 kilometres of Rio Tinto’s railway line
traverses through Yindjibarndi Country. Rio Tinto has no mining
activities on Yindjibarndi Country.
YAC’s 3C Strategy aims to help build resilient and prosperous
communities through community groups and funds, while developing
strategic business partnerships, including in mining and energy
industries, to create a successful model for self-determination
that supports and benefits all Yindjibarndi members.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221109005480/en/
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