Rio Tinto is calling for feedback from the Weipa and western Cape York community as it undertakes a socioeconomic impact assessment to help future planning for its mining operation and the township. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Rio Tinto is urging residents of Weipa, Mapoon, Napranum, Aurukun and New Mapoon to have their say on its future operations on western Cape York as it undertakes a socioeconomic impact assessment (SEIA) that will play a role in the region’s long-term direction.
The SEIA has already been completed within the organisation and now communities can have their voice heard on a range of key issues impacting Weipa and the surrounding region, including current views on living in Weipa and the future of the township, local spending habits and trends, current workforce arrangements and the future aspirations of residents.
Another significant element of the SEIA will be gauging current perceptions around the potential community impacts and opportunities associated with both the closure of Rio Tinto’s northern operations and expansion of the Amrun mine.
The SEIA comes on the back of operations ceasing at East Weipa earlier this year, the planned closure of Andoom operations later in the decade, and a potential expansion to mine south of the existing Amrun operation.
A Rio Tinto spokesperson said the company was “working closely with Traditional Owners, the Weipa Town Authority and the government to plan for a sustainable future for the Weipa region and the surrounding communities”.
Rio Tinto Weipa general manager Steve Dunstone said it was imperative community members from the township and greater western Cape York had their say.
“We value the community’s feedback and encourage everyone to participate by completing the community survey,” he said.
“Knowing what people think and feel will help us better understand what is important to the community, which in turn helps us manage any impacts that changes to our operations may have – helping us all to shape the future of the region for the better.”
The survey can be completed by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/STTBQRV.
