Hancock Iron Ore

We value the difference our partnerships make to the lives of the people on whose land we operate.

Creating connected communities

We work closely with the Traditional Owners on whose land we operate to promote education, training, employment and business opportunities. We have Native Title Agreements with the following land connected peoples:

  • Nyiyaparli
  • Palyku
  • Kariyarra
  • Ngarla
  • Nyamal

We understand it is important to listen and work together to provide support when issues or special opportunities arise. Some of the best community ideas and contributions come from ongoing proactive collaboration, including:

  • Shared learning and specialist training for Traditional Owners to collect native seeds for revegetation.
  • Ethnobotanical studies. Including a book, Jirntalpa Karnti (Green Tree), created in conjunction with the Nyiyaparli people, recording traditional knowledge of the flora around the Roy Hill mine.
  • Delivering essential food and cleaning supplies to isolated Aboriginal communities as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
  • Community Art Competitions in collaboration with local schools and Traditional Owner businesses.
  • Health care, including the purchase of dialysis equipment for the Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service in Newman.

     

    Indigenous Employment and Contracting

    • We extend priority consideration for Traditional Owner candidates and employees and draws on two-way learning to promote Indigenous engagement throughout the business.
    • We have a dedicated Indigenous Business Development program that supports Indigenous businesses secure contracting opportunities, including capability and capacity building.

     

    Community Outreach

    We consider our relationships with native title groups an integral part of our community. We take pride in going beyond our legislative requirements and agreements and regularly support a range of projects working collaboratively with our Traditional Owners.

    • Providing remote schools in Strelley, Warralong, Yandeyarra, Nullagine and Jigalong communities with fresh fruit and vegetables in addition to various school holiday programs.
    • Providing equipment and educational toys to establish a STEAM lab at Nullagine Primary School.
    • Annual Indigenous Authors and Artists program in Pilbara schools.

     

    Land Management and Cultural Heritage

    • We work closely with representatives of Native Title Groups, undertaking extensive and detailed heritage surveys to ensure our mining operations does not impact areas of cultural significance.
    • Protection of sites and places of cultural significance is a key imperative for our operations, with input from Native Title groups supporting ongoing mitigation and management strategies to ensure that cultural heritage, country, waterways and significant resources are protected for future generations.
    • As part of our native title agreements, all employees are required to complete Cultural Awareness Training. This is presented by representatives from our Traditional Owner Groups who share important information about their history, culture, language and aspirations.

     

    Native Title Agreements

    • We have native title agreements with all native title groups where we operate. These agreements distribute significant royalties to each group as well as other agreed investments. We would not be allowed to operate without agreements. Approval to operate on native title land must be sought through these agreements before any company can operate a mining operation.
    • We have very strong collaborative relationships with all of our native title groups. We are proud of these relationships and meet both formally and informally.

    Hanrine Foundation

    • The Hanrine Foundation is a collaborative social investment program established in 2015 that brings together Hancock Prospecting companies in partnership with contractors, business partners, suppliers, and Traditional Owners to identify areas of need, opportunities, and solutions.
    • By drawing on our pooled skills and resources, the Foundation provides practical support and a self-sustaining program of social support across three priority areas: health, education, arts and culture.
    • In collaboration with the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, funding has encouraged world-class innovation with the development of a platform that is helping identify rare diseases in Indigenous children utilising facial recognition technology pioneered in WA.
    • Hanrine Futures was initiated by our Executive Chairman Mrs Rinehart and is an Indigenous scholarship and career development program which begins when the student enters the program and continues through to employment. The program works in partnership with MADALAH.
    • The Hanrine Foundation puts 100% of its funds into supporting future growth in the community, not into administration costs, and has won numerous awards for the positive social impact it has made in the Pilbara.

     

    Philanthropy / Partnerships

    • We’re a proud sponsor of the annual Perth NAIDOC Awards, recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander West Australians making an outstanding contribution in the community. NAIDOC Week is embraced by everyone across our sites with events including traditional storytelling, music, art and dance performances.
    • Helping Indigenous creatives go global by providing funding to enable Indigenous designers to showcase their talents at New York Fashion Week
    • Sponsoring the Bloodwood Tree Community Christmas Assistance Program supporting those in financial hardship.
    • Sponsoring the Hedland Senior High School after school Robotics and Environmental science program.
    • Providing annual funding for the Pilbara Girl Event, enabling young Aboriginal women to gain leadership and life skills, and completing TAFE certifications and personal development workshops.