Rio Tinto’s operations in the Ely area of western Cape York Peninsula form part of one of the world’s largest and longest‑running bauxite mining landscapes. Mining at Ely has been underway since the 1960s and is integrated within the broader Weipa operations, which continue to play a major role in the regional economy and in the long‑term development of northern Queensland’s resources sector. Current activity in the region reflects both the legacy of decades of mining and a forward‑looking focus on sustaining production through new and expanded projects across the western Cape.
In 2025, ACHM undertook a substantial program of greenfields cultural heritage survey across the Ely project area. This work covered approximately 3,115 hectares and resulted in the recording of 315 archaeological sites, providing critical baseline data to inform responsible land management and future planning.
The scale and outcomes of this program reflect AHCM’s capacity to deliver large‑area, methodical heritage assessments in complex operational environments, while ensuring that cultural heritage values are identified, documented, and appropriately considered alongside ongoing and future development.
