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Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (ACH)

Purpose

Land access is one the main issues facing mineral explorers and miners in Western Australia. As part of a review into ACH processes, AMEC members contributed to a survey in late 2025, that provided important information about the current landscape and what is being experience by companies on the ground.

With the outcome of the Glen Kelly Native Title and Cultural Heritage Processes Review imminent, AMEC is calling for a more efficient process that builds cultural heritage capability among traditional owner groups. In doing so, it should curb the growing business of Aboriginal Cutural Heritage and ensure investment finds its way to Aborignal communities, not the consultants currently benefiting most.

Survey of AMEC Members for ACH Review

‘The Cost of Complying with Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Requirements’ is an AMEC commissioned survey of 59 member organisations, representing 40% of total AMEC membership.

Conducted by Acil Allen in and finalised in Novemeber 2025, the survey is one of the largest of its kind in the exploration space.

Of the 59 companies surveyed there are 85 ACH activities that inform the analysis in this survey.

Download the Survey Here

Commissioned by AMEC and prepared by Mandala

Key Findings

  • For every $100 spent by industry in complying with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (ACH) legislation and policy, the majority goes to lawyers and consultants approx:
    • $60 going to external consultants (lawyers, anthropologists, archaelogists, etc)
    • $36 flows to Aboriginal groups (Representative Bodies covering their costs)
    • Only $4 goes directly to Aboriginal people (Survey Monitors) 
  • It takes an average of 552 days to comply with ACH on a per-activity basis.
  • The cost of a Heritage Survey is typically over $23,000 per day.
  • Costs are up by 46.6% from 2018-22.
  • One in two companies have been asked to re-survey an area.
  • Companies are uncertain as to both the costs and the time needed to comply with ACH requirements; the survey reflects that volatility.