Last checked at 23 Mar 2021 07:00
Rio Tinto outlines path to stronger Cultural Heritage management
23 March 2021
Rio Tinto will today detail how it is working in partnership with Traditional Owners, host communities and independent groups to strengthen and improve its approach to cultural heritage and community relations.
In virtual seminars, which will include presentations from Board and Executive Committee members as well as experts in the field, Rio Tinto will outline actions it has introduced to strengthen its performance and governance of cultural heritage following the destruction of the rockshelters at Juukan Gorge in May 2020 and outline the steps it will take to further improve its performance.
One key step is today's confirmation that an Indigenous Advisory Group (IAG) will be established to ensure Rio Tinto has a better understanding of Indigenous culture and issues in Australia, including at Board level. It follows broad consultation with Traditional Owners and Indigenous leaders with the aim to introduce more diversity and breadth of views, including external perspective, in decision-making.
Rio Tinto has also commenced work to review and re-define what is best practice for cultural heritage management in the mining industry. This work will be done in consultation with the IAG and other independent parties and will enable Rio Tinto to identify gaps in current protocols and provide a clear pathway to re-establish trust over time and regain Rio Tinto's previous standing in this area.
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: "We have reflected a great deal as a company and leadership team over recent months - listening, learning and responding by taking actions to better manage Traditional Owner partnerships and cultural heritage aspects of our business.
"One thing is clear - building meaningful and trusting relationships is fundamental. And that starts with Traditional Owners. We must focus on real engagement with our communities, understanding their felt experience and never forgetting that, ultimately, we are guests on their land. And, as guests, we must respect our hosts and work with them to understand their priorities and concerns and minimise our impacts.
"We also must remember that our stay is temporary. We need to ensure we leave a positive legacy. This is essential to our business. We are committed to doing the right thing and working with our hosts to earn the right to be a trusted partner once more."
Following the events at Juukan Gorge, Rio Tinto reviewed its internal processes and also consulted widely with Traditional Owners, host communities, governments and other stakeholders. As a result, the company has significantly strengthened internal practices, policies and governance.
As part of Rio Tinto's efforts to increase transparency in its approach to cultural heritage, the company has also committed to additional disclosures on the progress of heritage measures being undertaken. Rio Tinto is also engaging with a number of global investors and investor groups[1], to jointly identify additional disclosures on:
1. Progress against Rio Tinto's own commitments and internal work-streams, (including Trusted Partnership Plan), external obligations and recommendations.
2. How Traditional Owners' views are being sought and considered in shaping these commitments and Traditional Owners' perspectives on how successfully these commitments are being met.
3. Enhanced governance arrangements in place to oversee the company's progress against these actions.
4. How the company is working to advocate for enhanced sector-wide cultural heritage management and how this is consistent with Rio Tinto's internal standards.
Rio Tinto intends to commence with interim reporting in the third quarter of 2021 and thereafter with predominantly annual reporting, coupled with periodic disclosure as appropriate. Further consultation with a broad range of investors and other stakeholders will continue to assist in developing these disclosures over time.
The two Communities & Social Performance: Cultural Heritage seminars will take place on 23 March, 9.00am-10.30am (AEDT) and 10.30am-12.00 pm (GMT). The presentations will be via webcast followed by a question and answer session. Presenting at the seminars will be:
Jakob Stausholm - Chief Executive
Megan Clark - Non Executive Director and Sustainability Committee Chair
Mark Davies - Group Executive, Safety, Technical and Projects
Kellie Parker - Chief Executive, Australia
Brad Welsh - Chief Advisor, Indigenous Affairs
Alicia Sherwood - General Manager, Communities & Social Performance, Pacific; and
Clayton Walker - President & CEO, Iron Ore Company of Canada
Contacts
media.enquiries@riotinto.com
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Follow @RioTinto on Twitter
Media Relations, United Kingdom Illtud Harri M +44 7920 503 600
David Outhwaite T +44 20 7781 1623 M +44 7787 597 493
Media Relations, Americas Matthew Klar T +1 514 608 4429
Media Relations, Asia Grant Donald T +65 6679 9290 M +65 9722 6028
| Media Relations, Australia Jonathan Rose T +61 3 9283 3088 M +61 447 028 913
Matt Chambers T +61 3 9283 3087 M +61 433 525 739
Jesse Riseborough T +61 8 6211 6013 M +61 436 653 412 |
Investor Relations, United Kingdom Menno SanderseT: +44 20 7781 1517M: +44 7825 195 178
David Ovington T +44 20 7781 2051 M +44 7920 010 978Clare PeeverM: +44 7788 967 877
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Investor Relations, Australia Natalie Worley T +61 3 9283 3063 M +61 409 210 462
Amar Jambaa T +61 3 9283 3627M +61 472 865 948 |
Group Company Secretary Steve Allen Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 |
Joint Company Secretary Tim Paine Rio Tinto Limited Level 7, 360 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 |
This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary.
[1] ACSI, AustralianSuper, Aviva Investors, Aware Super, Brunel Pension Partnership, CareSuper, Catholic Superannuation Fund, Cbus, Council of Ethics of the Swedish National Pension Funds, EOS at Federated Hermes, Equipsuper, HESTA, IFM Investors, Local Government Super, LUCRF Super, M&G Investments, Telstra Super, UniSuper, USS Investment Management, Victorian Funds Management Corporation, Vision Super.