Argyle produced about 90% of the world's pink diamonds before it closed in November 2020. Six years on, rehabilitation is still under way, and the handback of the land to the Miriwoong and Gija Traditional Owners is not yet complete.
Rio Tinto says demolition, landforming and revegetation are due to finish this year. After that comes at least 10 years of water and environmental monitoring. Closure costs have grown well beyond the original provision of $578 million, reportedly to around $850 million by 2024.
Traditional Owners, through Gelganyem, have been clear that they won't accept the land back unless the agreed rehabilitation standards are met. Rio Tinto has committed to a co-managed cultural heritage management plan with shared decision-making.
The lesson for new projects
Closure starts at the agreement stage. Rehabilitation standards, handback criteria and the role of Traditional Owners in closure decisions all need to be written in from day one. They shouldn't be negotiated at the end, when leverage and money are both running out.
RPM managed the implementation of the Argyle Participation Agreement from 2003 to 2009, including its benefit management and governance structures. We bring that experience to every agreement we deliver. See our key projects