Golden Gecko Award eligible projects

Applicant: Iluka Resources Ltd

The project preserved a rare wetland ecosystem at Tutunup South, which involved using vegetation direct transfer to extract and relocate an intact one-hectare wetland to an on-site nursery. The wetland was maintained for 10 years then reinstalled once mining was complete and the site’s hydrology was restored. 

As a result, a priority ecological community was conserved and returned to its original location with measured success (for example, the area of Cyathochaeta teretifolia, a rare plant species that grows in this wetland, was doubled). The wetland is now protected under a conservation covenant that provides long-term security for this habitat. 

This project demonstrated how foresight, innovative techniques and planning of long-term environmental commitments allow conservation and mining to coexist.

Applicants: Alcoa of Australia in partnership with Tyrecycle and Fener Conveyors

Mining off-the-road (OTR) tyres and conveyor belts are among WA’s most challenging waste streams. Their significant size, complex construction and use in remote locations have historically left resource sector operators with few viable recovery options, resulting in widespread on-site burial, stockpiling or landfilling.

Rather than focusing solely on internal disposal solutions, a system-level approach was adopted to address the issue. In partnership with Tyrecycle and Fenner Conveyors, the project moved beyond diversion to deliver a genuine circular economy outcome, where end-of-life mining tyres and conveyor belts are recycled locally and incorporated into new Australian-manufactured products. 

The project demonstrates how industry-led action can overcome long-standing technical, regulatory and commercial barriers to recycling and delivering lasting environmental and economic benefits for WA.

Applicants: Rio Tinto Iron Ore in partnership with SX5 Group

Driven by the need to remove personnel from high-risk environments while improving the precision and quality of landform construction in increasingly complex rehabilitation settings, this project successfully transitioned remote dozing from a concept to a fully operational fleet of multiple machines by 2026. 

In partnership with SX5 Group, key safety challenges and difficult terrain conditions were addressed, demonstrating that remote operation can improve operator visibility, control and precision. As a result, rehabilitation could be undertaken in areas previously considered unsafe or impractical.

These advancements improved productivity, precision and rehabilitation outcomes while maintaining safety. Demonstrating a meaningful advancement in environmental management, combining innovation, safety and operational effectiveness to redefine rehabilitation delivery practices.

Applicants: Rio Tinto in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Working together with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, this project represents a deliberate shift from traditional, transactional arrangements between two parties to a true multi-partner approach to deliver long term sustainable conservation in the Pilbara.  

Developing and implementing evidence based, adaptive conservation management programs in locations of high biodiversity value such as Millstream Chichester National Park and Karijini National Park. 

The project prioritises land management, understanding of threatening processes, protection of areas of cultural value, and integration of traditional knowledge into conservation management practices in line with the principles of joint management. 

Its collaborative governance model and outcome-focused approach creates a replicable framework that has relevance for conservation delivery across WA. 

Applicant: Bellevue Gold

Located in WA’s Northern Goldfields, this project integrates renewable energy, electrification and operational practices to reduce and then offset all direct and indirect emissions at the Bellevue Gold Mine. This is achieved by utilising a hybrid power system combining solar, wind and battery storage. Combined with a unique refining agreement with the ABC Refinery and Single Mine Origin certification, this enables the production of fully traceable, responsibly sourced green gold that can be marketed worldwide.

The project continues to reduce emissions and reliance on diesel and LNG, ultimately challenging the traditional methods of mining and downstream sales.

Applicant: BHP

BHP has developed a Finish and Fill strategy at its Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) operations that maximises opportunities to backfill open pits so they are progressively “finished” and then “filled”. This approach reduces the need for external overburden storage areas, minimising land disturbance, rehabilitation requirements, truck hours, labour hours and diesel consumption. 

In FY26, 39 per cent of all waste moved across WAIO, approximately 149 million tonnes, was backfilled into mined-out pits rather than placed on previously undisturbed land. By returning waste to mined-out pits, WAIO avoided creating approximately 123 hectares of new disturbance during FY26. 

The strategy reduces future closure liabilities, limits the need for large external waste landforms, improves long-term safety outcomes and supports responsible land stewardship across the Pilbara.
 

Applicants: Fortescue Ltd in partnership with Harry Butler Institute (Murdoch University) and Ecologia Environment

Wind generation in the Pilbara presents a complex challenge to birds and bat species, but through this program, the issue is shifting beyond conventional assessments to predictive, research-driven environmental management.

Delivered in partnership with the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University and Ecologia Environment, the program integrates independent scientific expertise with project-led implementation to build a research-grade evidence base to inform best-practice environmental outcomes.

The program combines multi-year bird and bat site utilisation surveys, radar and acoustic monitoring, species distribution modelling, collision risk modelling, satellite-derived resource mapping, weather-based activity prediction, collision mitigation studies, artificial light at night assessment and site-specific mortality monitoring design. Together, these approaches aim to allow Fortescue to apply science-based decision making in application of the mitigation hierarchy for the Bonney Downs Wind Generation Hub and Nullagine Pilot Wind Farm.

Applicant: Hancock Iron Ore

Since construction commenced in 2012, rehabilitation and closure has been embedded into operational planning, making progressive rehabilitation a core part of daily operations rather than deferring it to the end of mine life.

Approximately 1,100 hectares has been rehabilitated at the mine and 2,100 hectares has been rehabilitated along the rail component. Monitoring shows many areas have met, or are trending towards, completion criteria for vegetation, soil and erosion metrics.

Since October 2020, Roy Hill has maintained a dedicated on-site rehabilitation team, supported by leadership accountability, annual business KPIs and an adaptive monitoring framework. 

The program is further strengthened by collaboration with Native Title representatives and the engagement of Guma, a 100 per cent Nyiyaparli-owned business, to undertake large-scale rehabilitation works while building local capability. 

The program reflects a sustained commitment to environmental excellence through dedicated people, systems and resources.

Applicants: PLS Group Ltd in partnership with Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd

Located south of Port Hedland, the Lynas Find Project is a satellite deposit that forms part of the broader Pilgangoora operation.

Due to the presence of matters of national environmental significance, including the Northern Quoll, it was referred to be determined under controlled action of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999. 

Conditions required an environmental management plan and monitoring to maintain Northern Quoll population distribution, abundance and health. 

In partnership with Environmental Resources Management Australia Pty Ltd, the development of an AI-enabled camera trap monitoring program was designed to demonstrate a more efficient and scalable approach to threatened species monitoring.

Throughout 2025, 100 camera traps were deployed generating more than 200,000 images across a range of habitat types in the project area. 

This AI driven approach has the potential to replace traditional, labour‑intensive surveys with large‑scale monitoring, enabling more time to be focused on analysing data.