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The Social, Cultural Heritage Management Plan (SCHMP) is the result of strong collaboration over the past year between the Yinhawangka people and Rio Tinto.

As a result of that collaboration, the mine was designed to reduce impacts on social and cultural heritage values.

The SCHMP outlines protocols for joint decision making on environmental matters, mine planning and closure, and outlines support for the Yinhawangka Ranger programme as well as plans to increase participation in “on-Country’ environmental and other cultural heritage management activities.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said the company is appreciative of the Yinhawangka people for the opportunity to work together on this important plan which provides a new framework for working in partnership on-Country.

“We know we haven’t always got this right in the past. We have learned and continue to learn a lot from this co-designed process which is the manner in which we want to work with all Traditional Owners,” Trott said.

“This is an important milestone for the Western Range project, allowing the Yinhawangka people and Rio Tinto to move forward together.”

Rio Tinto continues work to improve its approach to social and cultural heritage management with Traditional Owners in the Pilbara and is engaging with other Traditional Owner groups to develop similar plans.

Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Kupa Teao said the corporation is grateful to Rio Tinto for working collaboratively with YAC and the Yinhawangka people throughout this comprehensive engagement process.

“Providing YAC with the necessary support to enable our team to focus on ensuring the Yinhawangka people have their voice embedded in the SCHMP,” Teao said.

“Together, we have ensured the expectations of the Yinhawangka people are clearly incorporated into the obligations moving forward.”

The SCHMP was submitted to WA’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) forming part of Rio Tinto’s submission to the EPA regarding the Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub Proposal.