Rio Tinto appoints the first Aboriginal director after the explosions of the sacred caves

Rio Tinto has for the first time appointed an Indigenous Australian to its board of directors as the mining group faces the consequences of the destruction of a 46,000-year-old sacred Aboriginal site last year.

The Anglo-Australian company said on Friday that Ben Wyatt, a former treasurer of the Western Australian state government and cousin of the country’s Indigenous Minister, would bring experience in public policy, regulation and trade when he joined the board on 1 of September. But his appointment has raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

Rio is struggling to regain its international reputation after it exploded the Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara region of Western Australia last year, prompting an investor opposite reaction and directive and directive outputs.

Simon Thompson, president of Rio Tinto, said Wyatt’s family ties to the Pilbara would significantly increase the board’s depth of knowledge, as the company wants to strengthen its relationships with indigenous peoples.

Australia generates almost 90% of Rio’s profits, mainly due to its large iron ore business in La Pilbara.

Wyatt accused Rio of losing contact with Indigenous communities when he was treasurer of the state and published a bill to modernize the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, which is designed to protect Indigenous heritage sites in Western Australia.

“While [Rio] you may think they are a global company, they are a Pilbara company with interests abroad, ”he said at the time. “One of the biggest risks to their operation is the fact that they do not seem to matter [Pilbara] presence as a company. I’m not referring to local executives and the local team here, but as a board of directors. “

Wyatt said Friday that he was deeply saddened and disappointed by Rio destruction of sites but he was convinced of the group’s commitment to change its focus on cultural heritage and regain its reputation.

“I have a deep respect for the resource sector in Australia and have been impressed for a long time with the professionalism and commitment shown by Rio Tinto,” he said.

Wyatt’s appointment is a milestone for Indigenous Australians, who are under-represented on public company boards. But there has been concern among some shareholder advocacy groups about possible conflicts of interest. Wyatt retired as state treasurer in March and joined the board of gas producer Woodside Petroleum earlier this week.

“Mr Wyatt’s experience and expertise make him a very attractive candidate for both boards,” said Brynn O’Brien, executive director of the Australasian Center for Corporate Responsibility.

“However, as Woodside and Rio Tinto face enormous challenges in aligning their operations in Western Australia with community expectations and ESG standards, it is fair to worry about their political influence.”

“From this perspective, the appointment of a recently retired Western Australian government minister who was in charge of key portfolios should raise eyebrows over the revolving door between government and industry,” he added. O’Brien.

The appointment comes as indigenous groups press for Wyatt’s proposed amendment to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act.

The Kimberley Land Council, which represents Aboriginal people, said last week that the bill had “serious flaws” and warned the state government not to bow to the interests of mining groups.