First Nations clean energy grants now open

Rio Tinto signs agreement with Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation have signed an Interim Modernised Agreement, establishing a pathway to a fuller agreement that will govern how the miner operates on Yinhawangka Country in the long term. The agreement introduces a co-management approach allowing Yinhawangka to be involved earlier in mine planning.  It will establishment a joint committee where both parties work together to make decisions regarding the protection and management of cultural heritage and Country as well as new projects and major operational changes.  The interim agreement builds on the 2013 Participation Agreement between the Yinhawangka People and Rio Tinto. Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation board chairwoman Robyn Hayden (née Tommy) comments on the agreement.  "Mining on our Country always comes with hard decisions, and we have always been clear that Yinhawangka People must be at the centre of those decisions,” she said.  “This agreement with Rio Tinto reflects both parties’ commitment to working in partnership, strengthening respectful communication, and ensuring Yinhawangka voices are heard.  “It creates opportunities for both our current and future generations, supporting a stronger and more sustainable future for both our People and our Country.” Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Matthew Holcz says the agreement will allow the company to keep learning from Yinhawangka knowledge and perspectives as it works towards a fully modernised agreement, based on respect, transparency and shared responsibility. “We thank the Yinhawangka People for their continued leadership and guidance, as we work together to strengthen our partnership,” he said. Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation and Rio Tinto will continue working together to finalise the agreement in 2026. 

As the world marks International Women’s Day on March 8, the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) is celebrating women who have shaped and those who continue to make their mark in Australia’s resources and energy sector.As part of its national TRAILBLAZERS campaign, AREEA is showcasing female pioneers and contemporary leaders contributing at every level of Australia’s resources sector — on site and offshore, in engineering and operations, in corporate and commercial roles and in executive leadership and boardrooms.In the Australian resources sector women hold only 25% of senior management roles, 32% of professional roles, 33% of apprentice roles and only 10% of technical and trades roles.Comparatively, 26% of chief executive role across all industries are held by women, yet only 8% of chief executive roles in the resources sector are held by women, according to AREEA.AREEA’s deputy chief executive Tara Diamond says these numbers highlight both the progress and the persistent gaps.“That’s why it’s critical that our industry actively recruits, retains and supports women so the next generation sees themselves reflected in the workforce, from site roles to the C-suite.”Some female industry TRAILBLAZER names are instantly recognisable, such as Hancock Prospecting executive chairman Gina Rinehart and Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) chief executive and managing director Amanda Lacaze.AREEA notes several other remarkable women whose achievements deserve recognition:Former Woodside executive vice president Eve Howell, who in 2006 assumed responsibility for the North West Shelf project, Australia’s largest and most complex resource development Marine Pilot shipmaster Carol Dooley, who in 2004 became the first woman in Australia to captain an LNG carrier and one of few female LNG captains in the world at that time“These Trailblazers demonstrate that incredible and groundbreaking role women have played and continue to play across technical excellence, leadership and innovation in the resources and energy industry,” Ms Diamond said.“International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that while progress has been made, there is more to be done.“These women paved the way for future generations and helped build one of the most advanced, innovative and responsibly operated industries in the world.”Today, women continue to shape the future of Australia’s resources and energy sector, driving innovation, championing safety and sustainability and leading complex organisations through a rapidly changing energy and resources landscape.

Recent South32 (ASX: S32) chief operating officer Vanessa Torres will succeed Mark Norwell as the managing director and chief executive of Perenti (ASX: PRN) this year.Dr Torres joined South32 in 2018 and held senior roles — including chief technology officer, chief technical officer and chief operating officer — and has more than 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles.Prior to joining South32, she spent 11 years at BHP (ASX: BHP) in a range of senior executive roles across strategy and operations and held senior leadership roles at Vale in South and North America.Perenti board chair Diane Smith-Gander says the board’s decision was based on a rigorous recruitment process involving exceptional internal and external candidates with a focus on supporting our long-term growth ambitions.“I would first like to acknowledge Mark’s significant contribution to Perenti. Under his leadership, Perenti has delivered more than a four-fold revenue growth since he commenced in 2018 and achieved material improvements across all key financial metrics,” she said.“His genuine care for people has been a hallmark of his leadership, driving a strong focus on developing our people and progressing our journey to create safe and respectful workplaces.“On behalf of the board and the entire Perenti workforce, I would like to thank Mark for his leadership in the transformation of Perenti and for his continued support through the transition.“Vanessa is a highly accomplished executive with extensive operational and leadership experience across global mining operations, and she brings the ideal combination of strategic capability, operational excellence, industry insight and people focused leadership to the role.”Commenting on her appointment Dr Torres says she looks forward to working collaboratively with the board and management team to continue the development and delivery of the Perenti strategy to create enduring value and certainty for clients, people, communities and shareholders.“It is an honour to have been appointed as Perenti’s next managing director and chief executive at such an exciting time for the business and in a pivotal moment for the mining industry,” she said.Dr Torres will commence with Perenti on April 13 and will be appointed as the managing director and chief executive on June 1.Mr Norwell will remain with the company to provide transition support through June and into FY27.