MEDIA RELEASE: Karri Karrak and Talison Lithium sign landmark cultural heritage agreement and progress broader Mining and Cooperation Agreement
Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation (Karri Karrak) is pleased to announce that Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd (Talison) has signed Karri Karrak's Noongar Cultural Heritage Agreement, establishing a strong and contemporary framework for the protection and management of Noongar Cultural Heritage across Talison's Greenbushes Operations.
While mining has taken place in the Greenbushes area for more than a century, opportunities for Noongar People to participate in decision making and share in the benefits generated from Boodja (Country) have historically been limited. The signing of this agreement represents an important step towards a more respectful, transparent and balanced relationship between Talison and the Traditional Custodians represented by Karri Karrak.
The Karri Karrak Noongar Cultural Heritage Agreement provides a clear and culturally governed process for heritage assessment, Traditional Custodian consultation, protection of Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property and management of cultural heritage risks. It ensures that heritage matters are not treated as simply a compliance exercise, but rather, as part of an ongoing relationship grounded first and foremost in cultural authority and the principles of free, prior and informed consent.
Karri Karrak and Talison are now progressing a broader Mining and Cooperation Agreement. This agreement is intended to address matters beyond heritage procedure, including environmental management, rehabilitation, cultural landscape protection, community benefits, land management opportunities, capacity building, benefits-sharing and long-term partnership commitments.
Talison Chief Executive Officer, Rob Telford, said the agreement reflected the company’s commitment to building genuine and lasting partnerships with Traditional Custodians.
“The Karri Karrak Cultural Heritage Agreement gives us a stronger and clearer framework for protecting and managing cultural heritage, and marks an important step forward in our relationship with Karri Karrak and the Wardandi, Pibelmen and Kaneang Traditional Custodians Karri Karrak represents," he said.
“We recognise the cultural significance of the Greenbushes area in which we operate and take that responsibility seriously. The agreement provides a strong foundation for our ongoing relationship with Karri Karrak, and we look forward to continuing to work together as we progress the Mining and Cooperation Agreement.
Both Karri Karrak and Talison are members of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, known as IRMA. As IRMA members, Karri Karrak and Talison support independent, transparent and best-practice standards for responsible mining, including stronger recognition of Indigenous rights, cultural heritage protection, environmental performance and community benefit outcomes. Talison’s Greenbushes Operations is also the first mine in Australia to have committed to the Initiative’s independent audit.
Karri Karrak welcomes Talison's commitment to moving beyond minimum statutory compliance and working with Traditional Custodians to establish a more robust, accountable and contemporary framework for cultural heritage protection, responsible mining and longterm benefits-sharing. As discussions continue on the Mining and Cooperation Agreement, Karri Karrak looks forward to progressing a stronger and more balanced partnership that reflects the significance of the Greenbushes Operations, the responsibilities of Traditional Custodians and the need for fair and transparent benefits-sharing on Boodja.
Professor Stephen van Leeuwen, Chair of Karri Karrak applauds Talison's commitment and willingness to enter into a partnership agreement that supports the establishment of an enduring relationship.
“The relationship between Talison and Karri Karrak is built on cultural authority, transparency and shared responsibility for Boodja, collectively we are committed to protecting Noongar cultural heritage while shaping a more balanced and sustainable future for the Greenbushes region. For Karri Karrak, this agreement strengthens our cultural authority and ensures through a genuine partnership, a shared responsibility and a commitment to fair and transparent outcomes on Boodja”
Media contacts:
Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation
Jennifer Morgan
Phone: 08 6182 1933
jennifer.morgan@karrikarrak.org.au
Talison Lithium
Grace Borrello
Grace.Borrello@talisonlithium.com