Join us on 19 June for the next instalment of the ‘Restoring Country’ webinar series.
This webinar looks at several different locations where local Indigenous groups are participating in mine environment stewardship and rehabilitation in Australia to understand modes of engagement as well as benefits and challenges.
Speakers will share their perspectives on:
- establishing different types of local Indigenous groups for environmental management (e.g. Ranger programs, Indigenous businesses)
- engaging and working with mining operations, including challenges and opportunities
- benefits to participants and communities, including opportunities in the future.
Speaker Profiles:
Central Land Council’s (CLC) Ranger Works
- Craig Le Rossignol – Craig is Southern Arrernte (Mother), Gurindji (Father) and Traditional Owner of his Oak Valley homeland 100 kilometers south of Alice Springs. He has developed land management skills and experience over 10 years with the CLC, growing the Indigenous Ranger Program. He currently leads the CLC’s Ranger Works.
Rio Tinto’s Amrun Land & Sea Management Program (LSMP)
- Lachlan Johnson – Lachy is the Superintendent of Land and Rehabilitation at Rio Tinto’s Weipa Bauxite Operations in western Cape York. He has a background in environmental management and has worked with the Land and Sea Management Program at the Amrun Bauxite Mine.
- Marcus Payne – Marcus is a Specialist in the Land & Sea Management Program at Rio Tinto’s Weipa Bauxite Operations in western Cape York. Marcus manages the LSMP at Rio Tinto’s newest mine, the Amrun Bauxite Mine, south of the Embley River. Marcus is responsible for realising the vision for Traditional Owners working and participating in land management and cultural heritage management at Amrun. This includes turtle management, fire management and mine site rehabilitation.
Rio Tinto’s Argyle Rangers
- Domino Bidwee – Domino is a local Miriwoong man from Kununurra, WA. He first started his mining experience in November 2019 at Argyle Diamond Mine, where he started his Cert II in Conservation and Land Management. On completing his traineeship in June 2021, he signed up with Rio Tinto as an Environmental Trainee, enabling him to work on Country. In mid-2022, Domino joined the Communities and Social Performance Team, where he would work closely with Traditional Owners on cross-culture tours, Welcome to Country blessings, and heritage site visits at Argyle Diamond Mine.
- Nancy Davis – Nancy has managed Argyle’s Indigenous work readiness program. She now leads the Argyle Ranger team through the mine’s closure phase.
- Steve Sharpe – Steve is the Manager of Regional Development/Transition for Argyle Closure. He has extensive experience with Indigenous land management in the Kimberley region through his work with the Indigenous Land Corporation.
Other speakers to be confirmed.
For more information or if you are interested in joining a panel discussion, contact Caroline Williams, Engagement Manager (First Nations).