Bengalla Mining Company Pty Limited - Rio Tinto Coal Australia

Environmental procedure EP 2.1
Environmental Services. A current listing of relevant Aboriginal groups is to
be received from NPWS prior to commencing any work.
If relics or Aboriginal objects are found, during mining or ancillary
operations, the action taken will depend on the significance of the site. Sites
will be managed in accordance with Section 4.4.
4.4 Site Significance and Management
4.4.1 Aboriginal Heritage Sites
During archaeological surveys an archaeologist will identify Aboriginal
Heritage Sites as either significant or less significant. Such sites will be
managed as follows:
Less Significant Sites
If an Aboriginal heritage site is determined to be less significant by the
Archaeologist who conducted the survey, an application for a Section 90
‘Consent to Destroy’ will be lodged with the NPWS. The Cultural Heritage
Reports, along with letters of cultural significance will be included with the
application.
Significant Sites
If significant Aboriginal heritage sites are found, an application for a
Section 87, Preliminary Research Permit may be lodged if recommended by
the Archaeologist, Indigenous groups and NPWS.
The application must be accompanied by a letter from the relevant
Indigenous groups outlining their opinion on the site and the research design
by the Consultant Archaeologist.
On receipt of the Preliminary Research Permit, Consultant Archaeologists,
along with representatives from each Indigenous group invited to attend,
will commence fieldwork.
On completion of the fieldwork, the Consultant Archaeologists report on the
site and its significance will be submitted to NPWS.
If Consultant Archaeologists, the Indigenous community and NPWS
consider the site to be highly significant, the Mine will consult with NPWS
and local Aboriginal groups to discuss mitigative options.
NPWS Determination
Processing of the research report by NPWS may take up to 12 weeks.
After processing of the Research report by NPWS, an application for a
Section 90 ‘Consent to Destroy’ with or without salvage, based on the
determination by NPWS, may be lodged.
If, through the consultation process, it is determined that the site must be
conserved, the Mine will do so in accordance with an “Aboriginal Heritage
Management Plan” which will include any requirements of the determining
authority.
title
EP 2.1
Cultural Heritage Management
date issued
3/8/04
revision status
1.4
date reviewed
10/3/05
Printed documents are uncontrolled. Check the Coal & Allied Intranet for the latest version of this document.
page
3 of 5