Mineral Resources is supporting local Traditional Owners to grow long-term business success at the Wodgina lithium operation in the Pilbara.
The company recently signed a three-year agreement with local Traditional Owner business – Jutiya Gardening and Landscaping – to provide village gardening, maintenance services and cultural awareness training at Wodgina.
The business is Aboriginal owned and operated by Kariyarra Elder Margaret Stewart, her daughter Anne Stewart, and partner Davis Hicks.
Davis takes a hands-on role installing reticulation and enriching gardens while Margaret manages the business and guides the team to identify and preserve native and non-invasive plant species.
As the business grows, the team plans to hire and train more local people and family members – helping build capacity and skills while sharing their knowledge with the local Yandeyarra community, about 50km from the Wodgina operation.
Anne said the team’s experience with MinRes has been different to previous interactions with other mining companies, with conversations based on support, understanding and respect.
“This partnership came about from meetings with MinRes, who knew my family were Traditional Owners in this area and approached us about a partnership,” she said.
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