2406 Case Study: Collaborative Mapping and Option Development in the Pilbara In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, cultural heritage considerations form a central constraint in mining project development, particularly where large-scale infrastructure intersects with Country. In this context, a collaborative initiative was undertaken involving the project team, the client, and Traditional Owners to integrate cultural heritage considerations directly into early engineering design. Cultural heritage information was systematically incorporated into the project’s three dimensional engineering model using GIS enabled spatial overlays. This allowed heritage exclusion zones to be visualized in direct relation to proposed facilities, access roads, and material handling infrastructure. By spatially aligning cultural heritage data with engineering layouts, the project team was able to identify potential conflicts early and assess the extent to which proposed construction activities interacted with culturally sensitive areas. This spatial integration formed the basis for a structured co-design process focused on infrastructure alignment. Eight alternative options for conveyor and road network placement were developed within the 3D model, each reflecting different trade-offs between operational efficiency, constructability, and heritage avoidance. Traditional Owners participated directly in reviewing and assessing each option using the visual models, providing input on cultural priorities alongside technical considerations. Through this process, a preferred option was selected that balanced project requirements with cultural constraints. From an engineering perspective, the use of collaborative spatial modelling supported earlier convergence on a constructible layout and reduced the likelihood of late stage changes during detailed design. The approach also improved clarity around exclusion zones and access requirements prior to procurement and construction planning. These case studies demonstrate how Indigenous spatial knowledge, when integrated through digital design tools, can function as a technical input rather than a post design constraint. Applied early, technology enabled co-design supported clearer decision making, reduced rework risk, and improved alignment between cultural considerations and engineering outcomes in a complex mining environment. 5. CONCLUSION: SHARED GOVERNANCE AS A FOUNDATION FOR PROJECT DELIVERY As demonstrated throughout this paper, the minerals required to support a decarbonised economy are frequently located on or near Indigenous lands, placing Indigenous governance at the centre of project definition, delivery certainty, and long‑term operational performance. In this context, the way projects are designed and governed is as material to outcomes as technical capability. Experience across the case examples shows that transformational engagement and co-design approaches materially strengthen early project definition by integrating Indigenous governance, knowledge, and decision‑making authority upstream. When Indigenous priorities inform concept selection, layout development, and sequencing decisions before designs are fixed, project teams gain clearer understanding of constraints and opportunities, reducing late‑stage change and delivery risk. Technology‑enabled co-design, using tools such as virtual reality, GIS, and spatial modelling, provides a practical mechanism for this early integration when applied within clear Indigenous governance frameworks. Grounding the use of these tools in Indigenous intellectual property rights and data sovereignty supports informed participation, protects cultural authority, and ensures that digital representations of Country function as enablers of consent rather than sources of contestation. Projects that embed shared governance in this way move beyond managing social risk toward delivering shared value. By aligning technical excellence with Indigenous authority and knowledge systems, resource developments are better positioned to achieve predictable approvals, sustained social licence, and resilient long‑term operations in an increasingly complex and rights‑aware operating environment. REFERENCES Akee, R. and Jorgensen, M. (2023) ‘Indigenous data sovereignty and governance: emerging principles for the digital age’, Indigenous Policy Journal, 34(2), pp. 1–19.
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