Rio Tinto and the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation they reached an agreement to move forward with the proposal Winu copper and gold mine, located in Western Australia. The agreement includes the consent of the Nyangumarta people for the development of the project and associated infrastructure.
The new agreement expands the collaboration framework established between the parties in 2023 and determines how the knowledge, priorities and perspectives of the community will be incorporated during the planning and eventual development of the mine.
The Nyangumarta people give their consent to the Winu project
Specifically, the Nyangumarta people gave their consent for the development of the proposed Winu mine and associated infrastructure within their territory.
However, the project will still need to pass regulatory approvals and obtain the necessary permits, a final investment decision will also be required before it can proceed. Rio Tinto can move forward to the construction and operation stages.
The agreement is the result of several years of talks between both parties, Margaret (Nyaparu) Rose, Nyangumarta elder, explained that the negotiations extended over five years in order to ensure that the community had sufficient information before making a decision.
For his part, Charlie Wright noted that the agreement will allow the Nyangumarta people to maintain their participation throughout the project’s lifespan.
Environmental and cultural heritage protection
Furthermore, the agreement establishes mechanisms to incorporate the priorities of the Nyangumarta people during the planning of Winu.
One of the central aspects will be avoiding and reducing the potential impacts of the future mine on the environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage. The protection of the territory and the community’s culture remained a key issue throughout the negotiations.
Furthermore, Winu could become the first mine developed within the Nyangumarta territory, for this reason, both parties plan to generate opportunities related to training, employment, and the participation of companies linked to the community.
The Nyangumarta people and Rio Tinto will also continue to analyze economic opportunities arising from mining development, keeping the community’s cultural relationship with its territory as a reference.
Winu reinforces Rio Tinto’s plans to increase its copper production
For Rio Tinto, the Winu project occupies an important position within its plans to growth in copper the company currently considers it its most advanced short-term greenfield copper project.
Winu is located in Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert, approximately 300 kilometers south of Broome, Rio Tinto Copper’s chief executive, Katie Jackson, indicated that the agreement represents a further step towards Winu’s first copper production, planned for 2030.
In this way, the project could expand Rio Tinto copper portfolio if it manages to overcome the next regulatory stages and receives final investment approval.
Rio Tinto controls 70% of the Winu project
The Winu project is being developed through a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM). Rio Tinto holds a 70% stake, while SMM controls the remaining 30%. Under the terms of the joint venture, Rio Tinto will be responsible for the development and subsequent operation of the Winu mine.
With the formal consent of the Nyangumarta people now in place, the project enters a new planning phase. However, its implementation will remain contingent upon obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and a final investment decision.
Source: BusinessWire
Photo: Shutterstock
