Gnulli Heritage Agreement

Dampier Salt signs important heritage agreement with Gnulli people

11 August 2011

The Gnulli Heritage Agreement formalises the relationship between Rio Tinto's Dampier Salt operations and the Baiyungu traditional owners of the land around Lake McLeod about 100km north of Carnarvon.

Dampier Salt managing director Denise Goldsworthy said the agreement established clear guidelines on how and when to engage Traditional Owners in determining the cultural and heritage significance of the area.

The Heritage Agreement actively supports positive relationships with the Indigenous custodians of the country where we have mining operations and the agreement that has been signed establishes protocols for interaction between Dampier Salt and Traditional Owners and clarifies other issues relating to community consultation on heritage issues.

Dampier Salt is extremely pleased with the outcome of these negotiations and is confident that all sides will benefit from the Heritage Agreement.

Dampier Salt is always keen to improve its mining activities but never at the expense of local culture. The Heritage agreement will help protect an irreplaceable community asset and our Indigenous heritage.

The Baiyung people are one of 24 different peoples represented by the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation - a native title representative body protecting the interests of Traditional Owners in WA's Gascoyne, Murchison and Pilbara regions.
Yamatji Marpla Corporation chief executive Simon Hawkins said he was pleased with the agreement that would help provide a strong legacy for the Gnulli group.

Click here for further information regarding Rio Tinto Cultural Heritage