Rio Tinto has committed to an internal review of its heritage management processes in the wake of its destruction of a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal heritage site in Western Australia last month.

After intense pressure from stakeholders and the announcement of a Senate inquiry, Rio Tinto has pledged to complete the review by October and make the findings public.

The credibility of the process hinges on a number of other factors, as well. These include the scope of the review, how it will be conducted, what will be disclosed publicly and who will be protected, and how will the company will respond to the review recommendations.