Australia’s top mining companies are scrambling to hire an army of Aboriginal cultural heritage experts to help them comply with the controversial new WA laws.
Dozens of dedicated positions have been advertised on job platforms in the past month, seeking an array of cultural heritage advisers, field officers, principals, consultant managers, compliance advisers and planning managers.
The stampede to fill the highly-paid jobs has been joined by some of the biggest names in the industry including Fortescue Metals Group, Hancock Prospecting and Mineral Resources.
Adverts cite a need for “in-depth” knowledge of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 and the ability to both navigate the new requirements and communicate their operational impact internally and to stakeholders.
The hunt is also on in the construction and property development sector with recruitment firm Gough Recruitment seeking an archeologist or heritage consultant to manage “increasing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage” tasks.
And to add to the hiring spree, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has advertised five new senior heritage officer roles in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Mid-West and South West. It says the gigs paying up to $105,000 a year “will be instrumental in implementing the new Act”.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said the recruitment drive was a direct consequence of the new laws.
“As with any new piece of legislation, many companies are reviewing their internal processes to ensure alignment and compliance – this commonly involves seeking legal and expert advice,” she said.
Responsibilities in the mining jobs include coordinating and supervising heritage surveys, monitoring and consulting with traditional owners, identifying potential risks to meet project timelines and outcomes and measuring ground-disturbing activities to ensure heritage sites are not adversely impacted.
An advert for a heritage principal at Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting says the position is needed to “ensure compliance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021”.
It says the successful applicant will “provide project specific and general advice to business regarding new ACHA 2021 requirements and guidelines including drafting reports, memos, and internal business advice related to heritage.” Only people with “in depth knowledge” of the Act are invited to apply.
An FMG spokeswoman said the company had “long-standing, dedicated” teams to ensure protection of cultural heritage.
“They work hand in hand with our First Nations people to ensure heritage is managed sustainably and responsibly,” she said.
“Fortescue has strong relationships with the First Nations people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, which are built on open and transparent engagement, mutual respect and the development of comprehensive native title agreements.”
The implementation of the new Act has led to widespread criticism by farmers and regional businesses, with complaints centred on high compliance cost burdens for landholders and the potential deterrent for investment and jobs.
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