Environmental sensitivity

Leaving behind "nothing but footprints" is a worthy goal for any mining company, however Argyle Diamonds wants to leave behind much more than footprints when it eventually ceases mining in the East Kimberley. Argyle is working to leave the legacy of a fully rehabilitated landscape with a predominance of native plant species that are important to Aboriginal people.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal people have relied on native flora to meet many of their most basic needs. In Aboriginal law, plants are a source of bush tucker, provide herbal and medicinal cures for a range of ailments, and are used in the creation of cultural and traditional implements such as spears and boomerangs.

However, as time goes by, this way of life is becoming more difficult to preserve. The passing of older generations often leaves a void in the knowledge base of local communities about the relevance of local flora species. Some species of importance are nearly extinct and others are in short supply in the East Kimberley.

For many years, Argyle has actively pursued rehabilitation of areas disturbed by mining activities, with the aim of returning land to a state as close as possible to its pre-mining condition. Until 2000, Argyle had rehabilitated more than 100 hectares of land at its alluvial operations each year, but not with species of particular relevance to local Aboriginal people in mind. Argyle's practices have now evolved to acknowledge and pursue the link between rehabilitation work and the needs of local communities.

Argyle's environmental employees have worked with Aboriginal people from the neighbouring Warmun and Bow River communities to identify plants of importance. More than 50 were deemed to be of significance in traditional Aboriginal culture and a process commenced to introduce these species into Argyle's rehabilitation work. This included investigating why some plants do not seed naturally and specific conditions under which certain species flourish.

The involvement of Aboriginal stakeholders has been a crucial part of the process. The Warmun Community Corporation was contracted to collect native seeds and prepare seed mixes. The Aboriginal people knew where to look for the seeds, but were trained by Argyle in seed collection techniques. They were subsequently asked to become involved in the rehabilitations process, and the enterprise is now a viable entity skilled in a range of agriculture activities. This may lead to programmes in recycling, composting and worm farming. This program has led to a number of other important alliances with academic and community organisations. Argyle and the Warmun Community Corporation work with the students from several Western Australian universities to enhance species knowledge and seeding activities. In particular, one university is now undertaking research into the sustainability of the new regenerated ecosystems within the rehabilitation area.

Of prime importance to the success of the project was the establishment of a database of species to capture the knowledge being developed for future generations. Argyle is preparing a map and catalogue system that notes the important plant species, their characteristics and presence on the lease. The programme will continue to develop, but already more than half of the original 50-plus plants recognised as being of traditional value, are present in Argyle's rehabilitation areas.