PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Major Rio Tinto has signed an updated agreement with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) aimed at strengthening ties and delivering improved social and economic outcomes for the Yindjibarndi people.

The updated agreement is part of Rio’s commitment to modernise its relationships with Traditional Owners.

Rio’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’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 programmes 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 activities on Yindjibarndi Country, with plans to implement it in 2023.

“We are working hard to re-engage with Traditional Owners and change the way we operate,” Rio Tinto iron-ore CEO Simon Trott said.

“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.”