Indigenous Peoples

Upholding rights

Indigenous Peoples are entitled to all human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In addition, international law recognises their collective rights to their land and its resources, inclusive of special and spiritual relationships they may have with both, warrant particular attention and protection.

We seek to operate in a manner consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which recognises the right of Indigenous Peoples to “maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and coastal seas and other resources” (Article 25).

We strive to achieve the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples (as defined in the IFC Performance Standard 7 on “Indigenous Peoples”) in line with the International Council on Mining and Metals position statement on Indigenous Peoples and mining.

Guided by global standards

Our approach to engaging with Indigenous Peoples aligns with the ICMM Sustainability Framework, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We use the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability; our CSP standard commits us to compliance with the following IFC Performance Standards:

• IFC PS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
• IFC PS5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement

As members of the ICMM, we support the commitments outlined in ICMM’s Indigenous Peoples and Mining Position statement and ICMM’s Mining Principles. We also support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Australian Advisory Group

We established the Australian Advisory Group (AAG) in 2022 to provide independent expert advice to our executives on matters impacting our operations in Australia, with a priority focus on First Nations issues and opportunities. The group met four times in 2023, including site visits to Weipa and the Pilbara. An independent review of the AAG was finalised in October to ensure the AAG continues to operate in a way that adds genuine value to our business.

Improving our standards and practices

We are refining, updating, and enhancing our management systems, standards and reporting to ensure we understand and manage risk.

In 2022, we refreshed our global communities and social performance (CSP) standard to reflect our commitment to improving practice, and continue to review our CSP risks and controls across our business. We are monitoring the external environment and engaging with stakeholders to ensure we respond to emerging trends in practical and appropriate ways.

Through our CSP Area of Expertise, we provide specialised regional and technical support and deep subject matter expertise in the areas of Indigenous People, heritage, agreements, economic development, resettlement, social impact analysis, and social risk. This support aims to improve our practices on the ground at our global assets.

Cultural awareness

In Australia, our national Cultural Connection program ensures that our leaders have an informed understanding of Indigenous culture and know how to build strong trusted relationships with the Indigenous community and Indigenous employees.

We also have regional-specific cultural awareness training in our product groups and assets which complements our Australia-wide program. At our Iron Ore business in the Pilbara, we deliver a co-developed cultural awareness training via immersive virtual reality. We are also rolling out regionally specific, Traditional Owner-led cultural awareness training in the Pilbara.

In Canada, we continue to create learning opportunities for our people to raise awareness about the history, culture and rights of Indigenous Peoples. In 2023, we introduced a new online training on awareness of Indigenous culture and issues, across all our Canadian sites.