The company has won backing for its copper-gold project, Winu, in Western Australia, from the Nyangummata Traditional Owners. The agreement is an important step for the greenfield project.
It’s based on over five years of discussions that took place between the Nyangumarta People and Rio Tinto. The contract specifies the partnership between both sides as Winu develops.
It also incorporates Nyangumarta knowledge and priorities into the planning of projects. This includes the protection of environmental and Aboriginal cultural heritage. The accord bolsters one of Rio’s biggest short-term development initiatives.
Winu project is supported by Nyangumarta Traditional Owners for Rio Tinto. [Courtesy: Resources Review]
Winu Copper-Gold Mine Location And Development Plans
Winu sits in Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert, about 300 km south of Broome. In 2017, Rio Tinto reported mineralisation at the site.
Since then, the company has worked with Traditional Owners and other key groups. Winu would be the first mine to be developed in the Nyangumarta Country area. The project might offer training, employment and local business opportunities, says Rio.
This potential adds to the regional significance of the project. The new agreement also offers better guidelines for impact management of the project. It focuses on its main areas as:
- Including Nyangumarta knowledge in project planning.
- Identifying priorities and perspectives that are important to Nyangumarta.
- Avoiding and minimising environmental impacts.
- Safeguarding Aboriginal cultural heritage.
These actions provide clarity and a focus for Traditional Owner engagement in Winu’s development process. Image caption: Winu is located in WA’s Great Sandy Desert, around 300km south of Broome.
Winu First Copper By 2030
By 2030, Rio Tinto is aiming to produce its first copper from Winu. The deal is an important step forward, CEO Katie Jackson said. Winu is currently the most advanced near-term greenfield copper project owned by Rio Tinto.
This is significant to the company’s copper efforts. It is being built in a joint venture with Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining. Winu is owned 70% by Rio Tinto who is also the project’s developer and operator. The rest, 30%, is held by Sumitomo.
The agreement enables Rio to continue to run the project, while also sharing the project exposure. The 2030 goal is a clear horizon for investors to follow as Winu progresses through planning and approvals.
Rio Tinto aims for first copper production by 2030 at Winu. [Courtesy: Mining.com]
Nyangumarta Agreement Strengthens Winu Development Pathway
The new deal follows a Project Planning Agreement from 2023. It sets out a way for Rio Tinto and the Nyangumarta People to work together. The work on this took over five years. There were long talks and a lot of back and forth.
Nyangumarta Elder Margaret (Nyaparu) Rose said the choice was made after careful thought. She added that the talks were meant to make sure each person had a chance to speak.
In this case, the agreement is more than a one-off project step. It lays out how the groups will keep engaging as Winu moves forward. Rio said it will keep focusing on that relationship in later planning.
For the Nyangumarta People, the agreement also offers a better path for their knowledge and priorities to influence what happens next. This kind of focus may matter even more as the project heads toward more approvals and later development decisions.
Nyangumarta Agreement Strengthens Winu Development Pathway
The latest agreement builds on a Project Planning Agreement signed in 2023. It gives Rio Tinto and the Nyangumarta People a framework for working together.
The process has taken more than five years and involved detailed discussions. Nyangumarta Elder Margaret (Nyaparu) Rose said the decision followed careful consideration. She said the discussions aimed to ensure every voice was heard.
The agreement therefore goes beyond a simple project milestone. It sets expectations for ongoing engagement as Winu develops. For Rio, maintaining that relationship will remain important throughout future planning.
For Nyangumarta People, the agreement provides a clearer avenue for their knowledge and priorities to shape project activities. This approach could become increasingly important as the project moves towards further approvals and development decisions.
ASX Mining Investors Watch Winu Milestones
For ASX mining investors, Winu offers several developments worth watching. The latest agreement strengthens the project’s social and planning framework. However, further project steps will still be required before development can proceed. Investors may focus on several areas as Rio Tinto advances Winu:
- Progress towards first copper by 2030.
- Future project planning and approvals.
- Environmental and cultural heritage considerations.
- Traditional Owner engagement and community outcomes.
- Rio Tinto’s 70% project interest and operator role.
Winu remains an important part of Rio Tinto’s copper growth pipeline. Its location, ownership structure, development timeframe, and Traditional Owner agreement all matter. The latest milestone gives the project added momentum.
It also keeps Winu firmly on the radar for ASX and Mining investors tracking Australia’s copper sector. Rio Tinto now has a stronger framework for taking the project forward. The next stage will show how quickly that momentum translates into further development progress.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the Winu copper-gold project?
A1: Winu is Rio Tinto’s proposed copper-gold mine in Western Australia. It is located around 300km south of Broome.
Q2: Who owns the Winu project?
A2: Rio Tinto owns 70% and operates the project. Sumitomo Metal Mining owns the remaining 30%.
Q3: When is Winu expected to produce copper?
A3: Rio Tinto is targeting first copper from Winu by 2030. The Nyangumarta agreement marks another step towards that goal.
Q4: Why is the Nyangumarta agreement important?
A4: It brings Nyangumarta knowledge and priorities into project planning. It also covers environmental and Aboriginal cultural heritage considerations.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information released by Rio Tinto and organisations involved with the Winu project agreement. Project timing, approvals, ownership arrangements, and development outcomes may change. This is not advice to invest. Anyone thinking about investing should read the company’s own releases. They should also check the required filings and other regulatory sources. Colitco cannot promise what happens next. It also cannot promise delivery dates, output amounts, financial results, or development outcomes.
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Luke Carlino is a seasoned Copywriter, Content Strategist, and Social Media Manager specialising in Mining, Finance, and Business journalism. With more than a decade of industry experience, he brings rigorous editorial standards and commercial acuity to every project.
