Aboriginal Groups Rio Tinto Exploration (then known as CRA Exploration, CRAE began exploring for minerals in the Rudall River area in 1972. In 1977 the area was gazetted as the Rudall River National Park and later that year was opened for exploration and mining, subject to strict environmental safeguards. The company continued exploring in and around the Park and in 1985 discovered the Kintyre uranium prospect, which straddled the then northern boundary of the Park. The development of the proposed uranium mine at Kintyre is the responsibility of Canning Resources Pty Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Limited.

Both Rio Tinto Exploration and Canning Resources have established positive relationships with Aboriginal communities in the area. Aboriginal people from four language groups have traditional association with the Rudall region, and in recent years some have returned to settle at Parnngurr (Mt Cotten) and Punmu (Lake Dora). These people are represented by the Western Desert Puntukurnaparna Aboriginal Corporation (WDPAC). Other Aborigines in the area are independent of the WDPAC. Under the company's established good neighbor policy, Rio Tinto Exploration and Canning Resources have consulted closely with the Aboriginal people to ensure that their concerns have been properly addressed during exploration programs. It is Rio Tinto policy to negotiate all areas of interest and improve infrastructure support. Exploration proceeds only after the completion of Aboriginal site clearance surveys, and the areas which are eventually drilled are a tiny fraction of the total area being explored. Remote sensing techniques are used to plan drilling activity in order to dramatically reduce the area of ground disturbance. Since 1985, less than one third of one percent (0.3%) of the Park has been disturbed by drilling. With a continuing program of exploration for uranium and other minerals in the Rudall region, Rio Tinto Exploration and Canning Resources maintains a high priority on the recognition of Aboriginal values and close, on-going consultation with their communities. Interaction With Aboriginal Communities The underlying principle of the company's interaction with aboriginal communities is a respect for their need for community privacy. There is no intrusion by the company into community privacy without invitation, and no inherent conflict between our activities and the wishes of the Aboriginal people. Contact between Rio Tinto people and aboriginal communities involves casual meetings in the field, Rio Tinto sponsorship of sports days, and other activities including local infrastructure projects and employing traditional aboriginal skills for land rehabilitation in the area. Field Fire Trials Although only a minute fraction of the 15,00 square kilometres of the National park is disturbed by exploration drilling, Rio Tinto's aim is to return all land to its natural condition. To help with this, company geologists are involved in a unique program to re-establish traditional burning practices once used by local Aboriginal people. Fire has been a powerful healing agent in Australia's deserts since the last Ice Age. It is a natural part of the desert order, brought on by lightning strikes and, until recently, the traditional burring practice of nomadic Aborigines (known locally as waru management). When aboriginal people migrated out of the deserts on to stations and mission, traditional burning ceased, fuel built up and wild fires ran out of control over large areas. These destroyed the close network of new and old vegetation critical for the survival of small marsupial animals. Rio Tinto, local Aboriginal people and fire ecologists from Conservationand Land Management (CALM) and the CSIRO are co-operating in a series of controlled experiments to use fire for the rehabilitation of old exploration areas. The aim is to accelerate the regeneration of climax vegetation and obliterate exploration tracks and grids.

Through their involvement in the project, Aboriginal people are maintaining important connections with the land, fostering traditional skills and participating in a worthwhile activity on their own terms. Benefits Of Mutually Agreed Activities The Rio Tinto Group has a strong record of achievement in helping the development of Aboriginal communities involved in its many activities around Australia. At Kintyre, Canning Resources brings this commitment and experience to helping the Rudall region communities. Using experience and knowledge gained at other Rio Tinto Group operations, we plan a program of co-operation with aboriginal groups which will provide mutual benefits. It is designed to promote greater understanding of aboriginal culture and lifestyle while introducing some opportunities for employment, training and other project support activities. The emphasis is on the major role that Aboriginal communities can play in their own success. We recognize that the extent and nature of the company's assistance is best determined by discussion with and among the communities themselves. In a spirit of partnership, Rio Tinto and the Aboriginal communities will benefit each other, learn more about each other's cultures and mutually contribute to the economic growth of the region. Preservation Of Significant Sites Through close ongoing consultation with local Aboriginal groups, the company is taking great care to avoid the disturbance of significant site in the Rudall region. Aboriginal groups with traditional and contemporary connections with the region have cleared the Kintyre area for exploration, since there are no significant sites in the immediate area. To minimize disturbance of Aboriginal communities, Rio Tinto Exploration employees involved in exploration have observed strict rules , including the total prohibition of firearms and the restriction of alcohol to base camps. Land Tenure Land tenure is a primary concern for Aboriginal communities in the Rudall area. Since exploration and drilling activities are transient and affect only very small areas of land, it has been possible to successfully negotiate exploration licences. The key to this has been close consultation and dialogue, with respect for the needs and concerns of the company and the Aboriginal communities. Excellent relationships continue in the Kintyre area. Aboriginal Land Rights - The Mabo Judgements In June 1992, the High Court of Australia ruled that the common law of Australia recognized native title to land. Native title claims do exert an influence over mining and exploration activities - particularly in Western Australia - and the Kintyre project is no exception. The company is currently negotiating with relevant government, aboriginal and other community bodies to reach an agreement in relation to the Kintyre prospect. Working Together Rio Tinto Exploration and Canning Resources have developed sound, positive relationships with the Aboriginal people in the Rudall region. We understand that the most successful relationship is a partnership from which everyone benefits. While pursuing the company's interests in the region, we are working to embrace the needs to aspirations of the local people and involve them in our activities, where appropriate. The Kintyre project provides a unique opportunity to provide benefits for all concerned and to contribute to the wealth and welfare of the North West region of Western Australia.