Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples of the lands, waters and territories on which South32 is located and where we conduct our business around the world.

We respect and acknowledge the unique cultural and spiritual relationships that Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples have to the lands, waters and territories, and their rich contribution to society.

In the spirit of respect and reconciliation, we will continue to support initiatives that strengthen culture and ways of life so that their legacy continues and extends to future generations.

Shared value

We believe trust and transparency are essential to the way we operate, we listen to our stakeholders to understand what’s important to them and work together with the aim of creating shared value. We are committed to working with communities and stakeholders, including Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcomes wherever our activities have the potential to impact cultural heritage. We work collaboratively with Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples to preserve cultural heritage and advance opportunities for economic participation and social inclusion.

To read more about our recent performance, please see our annual Sustainable Development Report.

Working with communities

We are committed to working with our local communities including Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples to achieve the best possible outcomes wherever we operate.

Australia

In Australia, we operate in four different states and one territory. Further details of the Traditional Owners, Registered Aboriginal Parties and those parties that speak for Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in these regions are outlined in our Innovate Reconciliation Plan.

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South Africa and Mozambique

Many host communities around our operations in southern Africa have strong connections to the land with unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Traditional groups maintain distinct local customs, particularly near our operations in the Northern Cape province.

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Colombia

We work with 25 local communities which surround Cerro Matoso including 11 Zenú Indigenous organisations and three Afro-Colombian communities.

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United States

We have two future development options in the US – in Arizona and Alaska – where there is engagement with Indigenous stakeholders with the aim of building respectful positive relationships and providing opportunities.

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Reconciliation in Australia

As a significant employer and investor in Australia, we recognise the positive impact we can have on reconciliation. Our vision for reconciliation is for an Australia that embraces the histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and that, as a nation, we work collectively towards supporting all Australians.

We developed our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2018, which created a strong foundation for long-term change. Our next level Innovate RAP was launched in 2020 to build on our previous commitments and integrate reconciliation activities into our business practices and decision-making.

We plan to release our second Innovate RAP in 2024. This RAP has more ambitious goals and targets to further increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and procurement, elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, support cultural heritage projects identified by Traditional Owners and further embed reconciliation across our business.

We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart as the pathway towards reconciliation put forward by Australia’s First Nations Peoples to enshrine a voice for First Nations Peoples into the Australian constitution.

Read more about our commitment to reconciliation in our  Innovate RAP. 

The women of Bush Medijina, a social enterprise 100% owned by Anindilyakwa women, with their handcrafted products made using traditional bush recipes.

Cultural heritage and Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples

We believe it is important for cultural heritage and mining to co-exist. We are committed to working with communities and stakeholders, including Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcomes wherever our activities have the potential to impact cultural heritage. We contribute to cultural wellbeing through consultation and responsible management of cultural resources.

We engage with Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples using culturally appropriate methods throughout the mining lifecycle to foster relationships based on transparency and trust. Consistent with the ICMM Position Statement on Indigenous Peoples and Mining, we apply the principles of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in seeking to obtain and maintain agreed outcomes with Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples.

We work collaboratively with Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples to preserve cultural heritage and advance opportunities for economic participation and social inclusion.

Our stories

Empowering the next generation on Groote Eylandt

Twelve young Anindilyakwa people from Groote Eylandt in Australia's Northern Territory are on their way to becoming leaders of the future after the launch of a specially designed development program.

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New Aboriginal cultural centre

Worsley Alumina committed A$2 million over two years to support the creation of a new Aboriginal cultural centre that will preserve and showcase the rich history of the Noongar people of the Peel and South West regions of Western Australia.

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Building community partnerships

At Cerro Matoso, we have worked closely with surrounding communities to form agreements that have produced positive relationships and provide a strong foundation for the future.

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Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples