summary report of heritage works supporting the greater

Summary Report of Heritage Works Supporting the Greater

Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub Proposal

February 2020

Prepared by Kiarrah Thomas and Joe Dortch, Rio Tinto Iron Ore

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Contents page

Rio Tinto Heritage Management Process at Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub 3

Overview of Heritage Fieldwork Conducted at Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub 5

Heritage Places at Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub 6

References 7

List of Figures

Figure 1. Heritage survey coverage across the Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub Development

Envelope ............................................................................................................................. 4

List of Tables

Table 1: Heritage places of special significance .......................................................................... 6

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Rio Tinto Heritage Management Process at Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub

Rio Tinto Iron Ore has a well-developed heritage management system that ensures heritage surveys

occur over any areas identified for ground disturbance, and that all heritage sites are recorded and

managed appropriately. Heritage surveys, both archaeological and ethnographic, have been

conducted as required within the Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub since 1985, and in particular since

1997. This survey work has been conducted in collaboration with the Yinhawangka People, the native

title holders of this area.

Approximately 45 heritage fieldwork programs, including archaeological surveys, ethnographic

surveys, and salvage works, each involving multiple field-trips, have occurred to date within the

Development Envelope. Archaeological and ethnographic surveys have been conducted over 64%1 of

the Development Envelope (refer to Figure 1 on pg. 4). These surveys ensure that archaeological and

cultural values within these areas are identified and avoided where practicable. Where there is

potential for recorded sites to be disturbed by future works, sites have been subject to comprehensive

archaeological recording to a level of detail suitable for applications under Section 16 and/or Section

18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) to the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage (DPLH,

formerly the Department of Aboriginal Affairs [DAA]). Additionally, each site has undergone individual

inspection and consultation with the Yinhawangka People as part of a s ite-specific ethnographic

survey, which outlines Rio Tinto’s proposed development works and impacts in the location of that

s ite. Any further comments or recommendations for these places by the Yinhawangka People have

been recorded for inclusion in the relevant Section 16 or Section 18 applications under the Aboriginal

Heritage Act 1972 (Western Australia), should applications be required. Sites of special s ignificance to

Yinhawangka people will be completely avoided. Subject to conditions in the various Section 16 or

Section 18 consents, numerous heritage s ites have been, and will be, salvaged or excavated with the

involvement of the Yinhawangka People as part of a mitigation s trategy for impacts to heritage sites

resulting from the proposed works.

1 This figure represents all of the completed survey within the currently proposed footprint associated with the Development Envelope.

Further survey work will be required for any additional areas of proposed disturbance within the Development Envelope not already

covered.

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Figure 1. Heritage survey coverage across the Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub Development Envelope

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Overview of Heritage Fieldwork Conducted at Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub

Over the last 35 years, and in particular s ince 1998, heritage survey work has been conducted across

the Greater Paraburdoo Operations, including existing operations at Paraburdoo, Eastern Range and

Channar, and the proposed Western Range development. This work has contributed to the

identification and management of more than 500 heritage s ites within the Greater Paraburdoo Iron

Ore Hub Development Envelope. These fieldwork programs have been conducted for the purpose of

mine development, expansions, extensions and construction of associated infrastructure, and

resource evaluation drilling programs within the Development Envelope.

Archaeological and ethnographic surveys supporting resource evaluation drilling programs over

targeted areas of the Development Envelope began in 1985. This preliminary work identified Ratty

Springs, Pirraburdoo Creek and the Red Ochre Quarry at Western Range, among other s ites, and the

importance of major creek-lines and pools in Yinhawangka cosmology. Examples of these surveys

include Kee et al. (1985), McDonald and Burke (1999), Hook (1999), Hook et al. (2003), and Edwards,

Martens and Sinclair (2013).

Development of mines and associated infrastructure at Greater Paraburdoo has driven further,

intensive heritage survey programs. This heritage work included surveys to identify any heritage sites

within the proposed mining and infrastructure areas, and archaeological and ethnographic

assessments for those sites requiring Section 16 or Section 18 applications. Examples of these surveys

include Hook et al. (1998), Williams (2010), and Morgan (2016). Archaeological excavations took place

prior to the development of the Channar and Eastern Range operations, establishing Aboriginal

occupation dates in these areas from 23,000 years ago to present (Veitch & Hook, 2005).

Extensive archaeological and ethnographic surveys and consultation associated with the proposed

development at Western Range has occurred from 2012 to present day. Examples of these surveys

include De Gand (2012), Tierney and Spooner (2014), Ryan and Stedman (2018), Bruckner and Marsh

(2019), and Archae-aus Pty Ltd (2019). Section 16 and Section 18 applications have been discussed

with the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) Local Implementation Committee (LIC) and the

Heritage and Environment Sub-Committee (HESC) and have been lodged with the Department of

Planning, Land and Heritage (DPLH). Further Section 16 and Section 18 applications will be discussed

with Yinhawangka Traditional Owners at the appropriate forums as required. Archaeological salvage

and excavations will be undertaken with Yinhawangka representatives in 2020 and 2021 pending

ministerial consents.

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Heritage Places at Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub

There are currently approximately 536 heritage sites within the Development Envelope. The distinct

topographical features within the Development Envelope are the abrupt ridgelines and hills of the

Western Range, Paraburdoo, and Eastern Range, and the more gentle slopes descending on either

s ide of these ranges. These landforms align with the heritage s ite types found in these areas. Artefact

scatters comprise approximately 56% of recorded s ites and occur predominantly on lower slopes,

while rock shelters make up approximately 14% of recorded s ites and occur predominantly on the

ridges. Waterholes comprise approximately 7% of recorded sites and are located in small gorges within

the range. The remainder of recorded sites in the Development Envelope include mythological sites,

quarries, ochre sources, grinding features, and scarred trees. These s ites are associated with a range

of features: creek-lines, pools, natural ochre deposits and rocky outcrops.

There are two s ites of special s ignificance within the Development Envelope: Ratty Springs

(Gardargarli) and the Red Ochre Quarry (Garrabagarrangu). These are s ites that the Yinhawangka

People and heritage professionals have identified as having high cultural s ignificance. Heritage

consultations have also confirmed that surface waters, including waterholes, are important to the

Yinhawangka People, and continue to be a key theme in the cultural landscape of the Development

Envelope. Heritage places identified by the Yinhawangka People as being of special significance within

or near the Development Envelope are outlined in Table 1 below. Generally, these places have both

physical and intangible aspects, which are viewed by the Yinhawangka People as a combined entity

when considering each place and its values. The Rio Tinto Iron Ore Heritage team has mapped and

recorded these places with the Yinhawangka People to ensure appropriate management2, however

due to the sensitive nature of these places detailed information (including specific site details) is not

dis tributed to the wider business or externally without permission from the Yinhawangka People.

Table 1: Heritage places of special significance

Place Name Short Description General Location

Ratty Springs (Gardargarli) Gardagarli or Ratty Springs is a site

of major signif icance associated

w ith a Rainbow Serpent Dreaming.

The site includes springs, artefact

scatters (camping areas) and a

ceremonial ground.

On both sides of Pirraburdoo Creek

north of the Western Range

Red Ochre Quarry (Garrabagarrangu)

Muduba (Red Ochre Quarry), a location quarried by Yinhaw angka

people to obtain red ochre for

ceremonies, and still accessed at

“law time” today.

Western Range

2 The Western Range project will avoid direct disturbance to all places listed in Table 1. Rio Tinto is working with the Yinhawangka People

to ensure continued protection of these places.

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References Archae-aus Pty Ltd. (2019) Report on Aboriginal Archaeological Assessments and Site Recording for

the Western Range and Western Turner Syncline Mine Developments, Greater Paraburdoo and Tom

Price Operations, Pilbara, Western Australia.

Bruckner, D., & Marsh, M. (2018) Ethnographic Site Avoidance & Site Assessment Survey, For The

Greater Paraburdoo - Western Turner Syncline II; Western Range Project, The Pilbara, Western

Australia.

De Gand, D. (2012) Report on an Aboriginal Heritage Assessment of Ratty Springs, WR01-A20

(Garrabagarrangu), & Paraburdoo Creek (Site Identification Survey), and, Turee Syncline and Work

Area WR36W (Work Area Survey), Located in the Western Ranges near Paraburdoo, in Western

Australia.

Edwards, K., Martens, T., & Sinclair, L. (2013) A Report of an Indigenous Archaeological Assessment

of Western Ranges Drilling Programme Area, Paraburdoo.

Hook, F. (1999) A Report of an Aboriginal Archaeological Heritage Assessment of the Ratty Springs

Drilling Programme Area, Near Paraburdoo, Hamersley Plateau, Western Australia.

Hook, F., Martin, C., Hammond, C., & Dias, A. (2003) A Report of an Aboriginal Heritage Assessment

of the Proposed 2002 Western Ranges Drilling Areas and Proposed Road Realignments, near

Paraburdoo.

Kee, S., Strawbridge, L., & Tonkinson, R. (1985) A Preliminary Investigation of the Area Proposed for

Development by Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd Paraburdoo, Pilbara.

McDonald, E. and Burke, S. (1999) A Report on Aboriginal Heritage Investigations – A Proposed

Drilling Programme, Western Ranges Exploration Area, Pilbara, WA.

Morgan, S. (2016) Report of a Yinhawangka Site Assessment Ethnographic Heritage Survey for Rio

Tinto Iron Ore at Greater Paraburdoo Operations, Pilbara, Western Australia.

Ryan, R., & Stedman, J. (2018) Report on Aboriginal Archaeological Assessments of Three Survey

Areas Within the Western Range Mine Development Project Area, Pilbara, Western Australia.

Tierney, H., & Spooner, N. (2014) A Report of an Aboriginal Archaeological Assessment of Survey

Areas within Ratty Springs; WESTERN RANGE; Channar; Paraburdoo; and Eastern Ranges, all within

the Greater Paraburdoo Area, inland Pilbara, Western Australia.

Veitch, B., & Hook, F. (2005) ‘A note on radiocarbon dates from the Paraburdoo, Mount Brockman

and Yandicoogina areas of the Hamersley Plateau, Pilbara, Western Australia’ , Australian

Archaeology, 60, 58 – 61.

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