Rio Tinto Statement on Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia Report

Rhea-AI Summary

Rio Tinto has welcomed the final report from the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia regarding the destruction of rock shelters at Juukan Gorge, acknowledging the need to rebuild trust with the PKKP people. CEO Jakob Stausholm emphasized commitment to enhancing engagement with Indigenous communities and protecting cultural heritage. The company has undertaken significant reviews, invested $50 million in Indigenous leadership, and trained staff in cultural awareness. Rio Tinto aims for meaningful social and economic benefits while ensuring the protection of significant heritage sites.

Positive

• Investment of $50 million to develop Indigenous leadership.
• Review of 2,205 heritage sites to ensure cultural significance is recognized.
• Increased staff in Communities and Social Performance by 20%.
• Commitment to modernizing agreements with Traditional Owner groups.

Negative

• None.

MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto welcomes the final report of the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia following its inquiry into the destruction of rock shelters at Juukan Gorge on the land of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people (PKKP) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said “We have been working hard to rebuild trust and meaningful relationships with the PKKP people and other Traditional Owners. Rio Tinto is absolutely committed to listening, learning and showing greater care, and this remains a top priority.

“We know this will take time and there will be challenges ahead, but we are focused on improving our engagement with Indigenous Peoples and our host communities to better understand their priorities and concerns, minimise our impacts, and responsibly manage Indigenous cultural heritage in and around our operations.”

Following Rio Tinto’s Board Review of Cultural Heritage Management in August 2020, the company has introduced several changes to ensure heritage sites of exceptional significance, like the Juukan Gorge rock shelters, are protected and preserved.

Rio Tinto has also worked to address the recommendations made in the Committee’s interim report in December 2020 that weren’t addressed in the Board’s recommendations.

A comprehensive summary of the actions taken to strengthen heritage protection, restore trust with Traditional Owners, and drive cultural change within the business was outlined in last month’s Communities and Social Performance (CSP) Commitment Disclosure Interim Report.

The work being undertaken by Rio Tinto includes:

• Working closely with the PKKP on the ongoing remediation of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters.
• Undertaking a detailed review to ensure there are no other sites of exceptional cultural significance within the company’s existing mine plans. To date, Rio Tinto has reviewed 2,205 heritage sites.
• Commencing agreement modernisation discussions with ten Pilbara Traditional Owner groups and their representatives;
• Committing to work with Traditional Owner groups to co-design and implement leading practice cultural heritage management;
• Progressing the establishment of an Australian Advisory Group to inform policies and positions important to Indigenous Australians and the business;
• Building social performance capacity, capability and governance across the company. Across 60 sites in 35 countries, Rio Tinto now has more than 300 professionals working in Communities and Social Performance, up 20 per cent on last year.

As well as its overhaul of cultural heritage management and work to rebuild relationships with Traditional Owners, Rio Tinto is working to drive cultural change at every level of the business.

This includes important steps to grow Indigenous leadership, with $50 million invested to retain, attract and grow Indigenous professionals and leaders in Rio Tinto’s Australian business.

In Australia, all frontline Rio Tinto staff are undertaking cultural awareness training, with face-to-face training or e-learning with Indigenous Australians.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker said “Our determination not to repeat the events leading up to the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters is ingrained in everything we do.

“Significant changes have been made at all levels of our business and this is continuing. While we are confident we have put in place the right foundations for a better future, we know we will be judged by our actions and we are determined to get it right. The important work of the Committee has helped reinforce our priorities as we work to rebuild trust.

“We will continue to work in close consultation with Traditional Owners to better understand and protect their cultural heritage and ensure future mining activity is done in the right way, to create meaningful social and economic benefits.

“We thank the PKKP people and Traditional Owners everywhere for their engagement as we continue this vital work.”

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211017005075/en/

Media Relations, UK

Illtud Harri

M +44 7920 503 600

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas

Matthew Klar

T +1 514 608 4429

Investor Relations, UK

Menno Sanderse

M: +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Clare Peever

M +44 7788 967 877

Media Relations, Australia

Jonathan Rose

M +61 447 028 913

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

Investor Relations, Australia

Natalie Worley

M +61 409 210 462

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James’s Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 7, 360 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Source: Rio Tinto

FAQ

What actions has Rio Tinto taken following the Juukan Gorge incident?

Rio Tinto has implemented multiple measures including a $50 million investment in Indigenous leadership, reviewing 2,205 heritage sites, and committing to modernizing agreements with Traditional Owner groups.

How much has Rio Tinto invested in Indigenous leadership?

Rio Tinto has invested $50 million to attract, retain, and grow Indigenous professionals and leaders within its Australian operations.

What is Rio Tinto's plan to protect cultural heritage?

Rio Tinto plans to enhance engagement with Indigenous Peoples, conduct detailed heritage site reviews, and continually train staff in cultural awareness.

What changes has Rio Tinto made in response to the Joint Standing Committee's report?

The company has initiated a thorough review of heritage sites, engaged with Traditional Owners, and is focusing on improving cultural heritage management practices.