Jack Cullity, a lawyer with Mining and Heritage Legal, said the agreement showed collaboration between companies and traditional owners was essential to protect cultural heritage.

“There are major changes on the horizon for explorers, mining and resources companies and other organisations that have a footprint on traditional lands and seas,” he said.

The destruction of Juukan Gorge was legal under section 18 of the WA Aboriginal heritage legislation in force at the time. New legislation that will come into force in 2023 still leaves the final decision on whether heritage can be destroyed to the WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs who must consider “what is in the interests of the state”.

Under the older legislation in the 12 years to 2021, out of 1009 section 18 applications just four were rejected by the minister.

Last week, the federal government released its response to the federal parliamentary inquiry into Juukan Gorge, vowing to make traditional owners “primary decision-makers” on projects on their ancestral land and boost federal powers to override state approvals.