Rio Tinto publishes submission to Parliamentary Inquiry on Juukan Gorge

MELBOURNE, Australia--()--Rio Tinto today reiterated its determination to ensure that the destruction of heritage sites of exceptional archaeological and cultural significance, such as the Juukan rockshelters, never occurs again.

In its submission to the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into the destruction of the rockshelters at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Rio Tinto sets out in detail its relationship with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people (PKKP) from 2003 to 2020 and the circumstances over this period that led to the events that occurred in the Juukan Gorge.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “The destruction of the Juukan rockshelters should not have occurred and I have unreservedly apologised to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people. As a first priority our aim is to strengthen our partnership with the PKKP. That remains our focus. We have also taken actions to strengthen governance, controls and approvals on heritage matters.

“I am continuing to meet with Traditional Owners across Australia and remain committed to listening and learning.”

Rio Tinto’s full submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia’s Inquiry is available at https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=a40d53cc-020b-458d-a75f-6f02fa3e9906&subId=690644

J-S Jacques will give evidence to the Inquiry Committee at 9.00am AEST on Friday, 7 August. The Committee is being webcast and will be available at https://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Rio Tinto’s Group Company Secretary.

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Investor Relations, Australia
Natalie Worley
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Group Company Secretary
Steve Allen

Rio Tinto plc
6 St James’s Square
London SW1Y 4AD
United Kingdom
T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England
No. 719885

Joint Company Secretary
Tim Paine

Rio Tinto Limited
Level 7, 360 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Australia
T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia
ABN 96 004 458 404

Category: General

Contacts

media.enquiries@riotinto.com
riotinto.com

Follow @RioTinto on Twitter

Media Relations, United Kingdom
Illtud Harri
M +44 7920 503 600

David Outhwaite
T +44 20 7781 1623
M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas
Matthew Klar
T +1 514 608 4429

Media Relations, Asia
Grant Donald
T +65 6679 9290
M +65 9722 6028

Media Relations, Australia
Jonathan Rose
T +61 3 9283 3088
M +61 447 028 913

Matt Chambers
T +61 3 9283 3087
M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough
T +61 8 6211 6013
M +61 436 653 412

Investor Relations, United Kingdom
Menno Sanderse
T: +44 20 7781 1517
M: +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington
T +44 20 7781 2051
M +44 7920 010 978

Clare Peever
M: +44 7788 967 877

Investor Relations, Australia
Natalie Worley
T +61 3 9283 3063
M +61 409 210 462

Amar Jambaa
T +61 3 9283 3627
M +61 472 865 948

Group Company Secretary
Steve Allen

Rio Tinto plc
6 St James’s Square
London SW1Y 4AD
United Kingdom
T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England
No. 719885

Joint Company Secretary
Tim Paine

Rio Tinto Limited
Level 7, 360 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Australia
T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia
ABN 96 004 458 404

Category: General