Rio Tinto is asking for community feedback as it undertakes a socioeconomic impact assessment to assist with future development opportunities in the region directly and indirectly related to mining operations. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Rio Tinto is seeking input and comment from western Cape York communities and businesses on a comprehensive socioeconomic impact assessment (SEIA) being undertaken to assist with future planning and opportunities for the region.
The study is being undertaken as Rio Tinto considers expansions of the Amrun operations and prepares for closures of its East Weipa mine, where active mining recently finished, and the Andoom mine, which is set to finish active mining later this decade.
The company said it was undertaking the SEIA to identify and understand potential impacts to community from these projects and inform future planning for the region.
Rio Tinto Weipa operations general manager Steve Dunstone said the SEIA presented an opportunity for stakeholders to have their say on the region’s future.
“Rio Tinto Weipa’s future remains strong and this is an exciting time for the communities of the western Cape,” he said.
“It’s important to ensure any community impacts from our operations are managed, and that opportunities are realised for the benefit of future generations.”
The SEIA will begin this month and will take six to seven months to complete, with EMM Consulting managing the project.
EMM Consulting will visit Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon, Aurukun and New Mapoon to seek input from Traditional Owners, community members, councils, local businesses, and Rio Tinto employees and contractors via workshops, interviews and confidential surveys.
For more information about the SEIA, email [email protected] or call 1800 820 711.
