“Rio Tinto, Aboriginal group sign first solar deal for Western Australia iron ore region”, 20 October 2023

Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) has signed an initial agreement with the Yindjibarndi people and Philippines' ACEN to look at options to develop green energy supplies for its operations in the world's biggest iron ore region...

The deal comes as Australia's Indigenous groups are taking equity stakes in the growing renewable energy industry, and as ACEN grows its footstep outside its home base in Southeast Asia...

As a first step, the group is looking to build a 75-100 megawatt solar array, for which an investment decision will be due by the end of next year. Construction is expected to take 12-18 months...

The green energy developments allow YAC to take into account cultural heritage sites, river systems, waterways, and other important places when they are choosing renewable sites, said YAC CEO Michael Woodley...

YAC [is given] a 25%-50% stake in projects developed on their native title land and preference to community businesses for contracts...

Aboriginal groups have so far had limited say in mega-projects rolled out across Indigenous lands. Some have at times eroded or destroyed traditional landscapes, including the demolition by Rio Tinto of sacred rock shelters at Juukan Gorge three years ago [our coverage of the story is available here and company comment available here]...