FIRST NATIONS ENGAGEMENT

RIO TINTO'S ABORIGINAL TRAINING AND LIAISON PROGRAM IS REDEFINING WHAT GENUINE FIRST NATIONS ENGAGEMENT LOOKS LIKE IN AUSTRALIAN MINING.

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When Rio Tinto's Aboriginal Training and Liaison (ATAL) Program was recognised in the First Nations Engagement category at the 2025 Australian Mining Prospect Awards, it highlighted the company’s commitment to reshaping how the resources sector collaborates with Indigenous communities across Western Australia.

Rio Tinto’s ATAL initiative stood out in a strong field for its innovation, inclusivity and deep cultural grounding, redefining Indigenous engagement as a long-term, community-led movement rather than a transactional program.

Originally established in 1992 and running until 2009, the ATAL Program was relaunched in 2023 as a co-designed initiative with Traditional Owner groups across WA. The program’s renewed approach represents a significant shift in Rio Tinto’s engagement strategy - from focusing on employment targets to fostering meaningful, place-based partnerships that deliver lasting benefits.

ATAL's framework is built around a three-phase model: community-based learning; on-site work experience; and post-placement support.