Keeping Traditional Owner Knowledge, Authority and Rights at the Centre of Cultural Heritage Management Across Multiple Pilbara Projects
Fortescue is an ASX listed global green technology, energy and metals company founded in 2003. As the world’s fourth largest iron ore producer, it is working towards zero terrestrial emissions by 2030 as it moves into green energy and decarbonisation.
Australian Cultural Heritage Management (ACHM) provides dedicated cultural heritage support to Traditional Owners across multiple Fortescue projects, ensuring their knowledge, authority and rights remain central to every heritage process on Country.
Our work includes environmental and social surroundings assessments for Fortescue proposals such as the East Hamersley Railway, where ACHM recorded and communicated Traditional Owner concerns about cultural values, water management and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and the need for consultation and cultural mapping to take place on Country with the correct knowledge holders.
ACHM has also completed extensive archaeological and ethnographic surveys for the Solomon rail alignment, Solomon rail camp, Fig Tree, White Knight, Flinders and Investigator projects. Site identification, cultural landscape assessment and recommendations are grounded in direct on Country work with Banjima representatives.
Across every engagement, the aim is consultation that is culturally appropriate, heritage sites that are properly protected, and project planning that is transparent, so that Fortescue’s activities align with Banjima cultural responsibilities.
Client
Fortescue
Location
Pilbara, Western Australia
Sectors
Energy & Mining
Services
Results Delivered
Building Cultural Heritage Confidence Across a Major Resource Developer's Project Pipeline
Working project by project with Banjima representatives, Australian Cultural Heritage Management has given Fortescue heritage advice grounded in direct fieldwork, culturally appropriate consultation and transparent planning. Traditional Owner concerns raised during assessment are recorded and communicated clearly, so they can shape decisions early. The outcome is a heritage program that protects significant places and aligns Fortescue’s activities with Banjima cultural responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a social surroundings assessment and when is it required?
A social surroundings assessment is a required part of environmental impact assessment under Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Act 1986, where the aim is to protect social surroundings, including Aboriginal cultural values, from significant harm. Anthropologists identify the social locality, determine which cultural factors overlap with the activity area and assess how impacts such as dust, noise or vibration may affect those values. Australian Cultural Heritage Management delivered environmental and social surroundings assessments for Fortescue proposals such as the East Hamersley Railway. Learn more about our social surroundings assessment services.
Why does cultural mapping need to happen on Country?
Cultural values are tied to physical places, such as waterways, story places and gathering areas, and they are held by specific knowledge holders. Mapping them away from Country, or with the wrong people, risks missing or misrepresenting what matters. Traditional Owners raised exactly this point during assessment of the East Hamersley Railway, and Australian Cultural Heritage Management recorded and communicated their concerns.
What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge?
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is the knowledge Aboriginal people hold about plants, animals, water, seasons and land, passed down over generations. It informs how Country is cared for and can shape decisions about water management and other environmental factors on a project. Australian Cultural Heritage Management records and communicates TEK concerns raised by Traditional Owners so that they are visible in project planning.
How do mining companies engage with Banjima Traditional Owners on heritage?
Heritage work is most effective when it is carried out on Country with Banjima representatives, so that site identification, cultural landscape assessment and recommendations reflect their authority and knowledge. Australian Cultural Heritage Management works collaboratively with the Banjima people at every stage of project delivery and has provided cultural heritage support to the Banjima people for more than twenty years.
Do iron ore rail projects in Western Australia need ethnographic and archaeological surveys?
In most cases, yes. Rail alignments cross long stretches of Country, and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) requires consent under section 18 before land is used in a way that is likely to damage or alter an Aboriginal site. Surveys identify what is present and allow alignments and camps to be adjusted early. Australian Cultural Heritage Management has completed surveys for the Solomon rail alignment and Solomon rail camp. Learn more about our archaeological assessment services.
