Flinders University is collaborating with the University of Queensland and Southern Cross University to boost cultural heritage management across the resources sector through its Australian Research Council (ARC) Archaeology Training Centre.
Located at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus in Adelaide, the centre has been awarded a $5 million grant from the ARC’s Industrial Research Program to employ Traditional Owners, resources companies, archaeologists, and cultural and heritage experts.
These parties will collaborate with AusIMM to safeguard the cultural heritage of Indigenous sites by training the next generation of professionals.
Training intends to develop ‘high-level’ skills necessary to navigate mining activities at sites without encroaching on its cultural significance.
Each trainee will undertake placement with partner organisations across a 12-month period to gain exposure to industry networks with research and training activities.
Partner organisations include the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation, Palyku-Jartayi Aboriginal Corporation, and Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka Traditional Land Owners.
These organisations have a deep history of collaborating across the mining industry, holding extensive knowledge that will be crucial in guiding the training centre’s activities.
Centre Director Liam Brady explains that the protection and management of cultural heritage sites has caused tensionous relationships between mining operations and Traditional Owners.
“We urgently need new approaches to address this situation,” Brady says.
“Having industry partners who are open and dedicated to working together to train a new generation of highly-skilled professionals who can navigate these challenges is both unique and exciting.”
Previously speaking to Mining.com.au, Minerals Council of Australia’s Principal Advisor of Indigenous Partnerships and Communities Matt Denyer explains that historically speaking, the word “engagement” has been used excessively when discussing Indigenous participation in the resources sector.
“It’s not taking a one-size fits-all approach,” Denyer tells this news service.
“It’s having to understand what the local community requires.”
Resources companies that have prioritised the importance of supporting professionals in social performance, Indigenous engagement, and cultural heritage portfolios include BHP (ASX:BHP), MMG (HKG:1208), Newmont (ASX:NEM), Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), and South32 (ASX:S32).
The University of Queensland’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Centre Chief Investigator Bronwyn Fredericks explains that the work being completed at the centre will allow Traditional Owner partners to provide direct input on its overall scheme to boost engagement.
“This changes the way some of this business was carried out in the past,” Fredericks says.
“It has the possibilities for transferability to other areas, which is more than great and much needed.”
Meanwhile, the centre will receive both funding and support from cultural heritage management firms Terra Rosa Consulting, Australian Heritage Services, and Niche Environment and Heritage.
Funds will be deployed to advancing technologies required to bolster archaeological survey outcomes, while also providing infrastructure essential for research.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Flinders University
