Research

Our four research programs were co-developed with partner organisations following extensive consultation about their most pressing challenges and potential solutions.

Problem

Archaeological surveys in mining contexts continue to rely heavily on pedestrian surveys, but these are not designed to identify subsurface sites with no surface indicators. Undetected sites can cause major delays and increased costs to mine development, and risk damage or destruction to cultural heritage.

The uptake of advanced technologies with significant potential to improve survey accuracy, efficiency and reliability – drones, sub-surface imaging, machine learning, geochemical analysis – has been limited in mining due to scarcity of skilled practitioners.

Goal

To improve archaeological survey assessments through better survey methodologies and tools. We will work with partners to establish a baseline for the efficiency of existing assessments, then trial and deploy cutting-edge technology and analytical methods to evaluate their effectiveness in different settings.

Outcomes

We will train a new generation of cultural heritage experts skilled in the use of innovative technologies that, together with pedestrian surveys, will provide a more detailed, accurate understanding of the archaeology in a specific area.

Impact

Improved survey methods and tools deployed by skilled practitioners will increase the likelihood of sites being detected before work begins, enabling smoother project planning, faster approvals, and greater certainty that significant sites have been identified and protected.

Problem

There is a noticeable lack of established, rigorous best-practice Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) frameworks based on the needs of all stakeholders. This results in issues such as site records and artefacts being dispersed across museums, offices and shipping containers — largely inaccessible to Traditional Owners and the wider archaeological record. Cumulative impacts on sites are poorly understood, and the repatriation of artefacts at mine closure can be difficult to manage effectively.

Goal

We will establish leading, best-practice CHM frameworks for archaeology in the resources sector that are rigorously tested and adaptable to different settings such as environmental and cultural. These frameworks will cover legacy data and artefact collections, the inclusion of Traditional Owners in survey work, and present-day management concerns for protected cultural heritage sites.

Outcomes

We will develop innovative archaeological survey practices relevant to all phases of a mine’s life that shift industry approach to one centred on protection and management. This will help reduce risk to Australia’s ancient Indigenous heritage and assist the mining industry in understanding the full significance and complexity of cultural heritage sites.

Impact

Best-practice CHM frameworks will increase the capability of industry to make responsible decisions aligned with policy commitments and better social performance outcomes. They will also support emerging Indigenous-led initiatives, such as the Dhawura Ngilan guide developed by the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance, and be applicable globally, positioning Australia as a leader in this field.

Problem

Archaeology and cultural heritage are often buried within broader portfolios in mining companies and don’t factor into critical decisions. For example, archaeological information had no influence on the final decision to destroy Juukan Gorge, and Rio Tinto decision-makers lacked the CHM knowledge needed to assess its significance.

Mining companies industry-wide have made important commitments to Indigenous peoples’ rights, but many mining professionals, including senior leaders, executives and board members, are not well positioned to understand the significance of archaeological findings and advocate for cultural heritage protection.

Goal

We aim to embed archaeology and CHM in the core business of the mining industry by recommending improvements to organisational structures and systems, and supporting professionals to forge stronger connections across disciplines. We will also build knowledge about remedy processes for loss and damage suffered by Traditional Owners due to breaches or poor practices.

Outcomes

We will deliver a set of evidence-driven recommendations on organisational structures and systems that address internal dynamics and power inequalities across stakeholders.

Impact

Industry will be empowered to fulfil commitments to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) through improving performance in cultural heritage protection, respect for Indigenous peoples’ rights and interests, and socially responsible mining.

Problem

Traditional Owners hold deep knowledge of the archaeological record on their Country, however the resources sector rarely treats this as expertise that could inform a holistic understanding of artefacts and sites – Traditional Owners are typically engaged as cultural monitors rather than specialists.

Mining industry leaders typically come from physical science, business and engineering backgrounds and have limited exposure to Indigenous knowledge systems and archaeology’s role in the sector.

Goal

We aim to change how knowledge is built and shared in the resources sector. We are addressing structural inequalities in how Traditional Owner knowledge is recognised and acted on, and equipping mining industry leaders to meaningfully engage with both Indigenous knowledge and the social sciences. We are also creating accredited pathways for Traditional Owners to be recognised as cultural heritage professionals through Flinders University.

Outcomes

Industry decision-makers will have a rich body of data drawn from diverse knowledge systems that will enable them to make informed choices, leading to better heritage outcomes. Accredited pathways will result in more Indigenous people working in mining companies and cultural heritage consulting firms.

Impact

Cultural heritage sites will be protected and understood because people with the deepest knowledge of Country will be helping to shape decisions. Heritage assessments will be more accurate because they will draw on a more holistic picture, while mining companies will produce more durable agreements with Traditional Owners when they engage with them as professional equals rather than stakeholders.