Through its membership of the Pilbara Rehabilitation Group (PRG), Mineral Resources (MinRes) is contributing to this collective effort to improve rehabilitation planning, support mine closure outcomes and help deliver long-term environmental value across the region.
In 2023, MinRes joined the PRG as a member company, supporting the advancement of rehabilitation knowledge, capability and practices across the Pilbara.
Home to many of Western Australia’s mining operations, including five of MinRes’ operations, the Pilbara presents both significant opportunities and shared challenges when it comes to mine rehabilitation.
The PRG provides an important platform for industry collaboration, helping practitioners share knowledge, strengthen capability and improve rehabilitation outcomes that achieve agreed land uses and promote biodiversity in the region.
Building rehabilitation knowledge
What began in 2012 as informal coffee catch-ups between rehabilitation practitioners has grown into an established industry network with more than 100 representatives from member companies including Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue, Hancock Iron Ore and MinRes.
Together, these companies represent more than 30 mining operations across the Pilbara.
The group plays an important role connecting technical professionals across companies and disciplines, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, share lessons and explore more effective approaches to rehabilitation.
Through seminars, workshops, site visits and technical discussions, the PRG supports stronger cross-industry collaboration and contributes to a more consistent understanding of rehabilitation success across the Pilbara.
The annual forum
Each year, PRG members come together for an annual forum featuring presentations from member companies, researchers and external consultants focused on current rehabilitation issues, innovations and lessons from the sector.
The 2026 forum was held at the Central Park Conference Centre in the Perth CBD, with more than 80 attendees from seven companies.
At the forum, MinRes Senior Closure Advisor and PRG Vice Chair Laurren Duncan presented on behalf of the PRG, covering one of their first benchmarking projects.
The presentation marked an important milestone in the PRG’s efforts to turn shared insights into practical opportunities to align frameworks and advance best practice in rehabilitation planning and mine closure across the Pilbara.
The project explored how rehabilitation success is defined and assessed across the region, identifying opportunities for a more consistent and regionally informed approach.
Over time, this could help provide greater clarity, efficiency and confidence for companies, regulators and Traditional Owners connected to the same landscape.
Collaboration for better rehabilitation
Duncan reflected on her past two years helping lead the group in her role as Vice Chair.
“One of the biggest strengths of the PRG is the openness of its members to share practical experience, including what has worked well and what has not,” she said.
“That openness helps everyone learn faster and apply proven approaches in Pilbara conditions, which ultimately lifts rehabilitation outcomes across our mine sites and builds confidence with regulators, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders.”
MinRes GM Environment, Heritage and Land Access Celine Mangan said the company's involvement with the PRG was helping deliver stronger rehabilitation outcomes across its sites and operations.
“Collaboration across industry is incredibly important, particularly in a region like the Pilbara where operators are working in similar environments, facing similar challenges and striving for similar outcomes,” Celine said.
“Being part of the PRG gives MinRes the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from a strong network of practitioners who share practical knowledge, lessons learned and emerging ideas.
Learn more about MinRes’ approach to rehabilitation.
