Rio has been working on repairing its relationship with traditional owners since the destruction of the Juukan Gorge caves in May 2020.

The social, cultural heritage management plan (SCHMP) is the result of strong collaboration over the past year between the Yinhawangka people and Rio including ‘on-country' visits, archaeological and ethnographic surveys and workshops.

The mine was designed to reduce impacts on social and cultural heritage values after the YAC raised concerns about the potential destruction of 124 sacred sites.

The SCHMP outlines protocols for joint decision making on environmental matters, mine planning and closure and outlines support for the Yinhawangka Ranger program as well as plans to increase participation in on-country environmental and other cultural heritage management activities.

It is the first time Rio and Yinhawangka have jointly developed a plan of this type.

Rio is working with other traditional owner groups in the Pilbara on similar plans.

"We know we haven't always got this right in the past," Rio Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said.

"We have learned and continue to learn a lot from this co-designed process which is the manner in which we want to work with all traditional owners.

"This is an important milestone for the Western Range project, allowing the Yinhawangka people and Rio Tinto to move forward together."

YAC CEO Kupa Teao said the organisation was grateful to Rio for working collaboratively with YAC and the Yinhawangka people throughout the comprehensive engagement process.

"Together, we have ensured the expectations of the Yinhawangka people are clearly incorporated in to the obligations moving forward," Teao said.

The SCHMP was submitted to Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority earlier this month as part of Rio's submission for the Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub proposal.