Mining firm Rio Tinto sorry for destroying Aboriginal caves

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Mining firm Rio Tinto sorry for destroying Aboriginal caves

31 May 2020

Mining giant Rio Tinto has apologised for blowing up 46,000-year-old Aboriginal caves in Western Australia dating back to the last Ice Age.

The Juukan Gorge caves, in the Pilbara region, were destroyed last Sunday as Rio Tinto expanded an iron ore project agreed with the authorities.

Many prehistoric artefacts have been found at the remote heritage site.

"We are sorry for the distress we have caused," said Chris Salisbury, the firm's iron ore chief executive.

"We pay our respects to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People (PKKP)," he said. The PKKP are the traditional owners of the site.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-52869502


Juukan Gorge cave site: Rio Tinto got permission to expand its mining in 2013 (AFP)

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Source: Australian Associated Press

Rio Tinto apologises to traditional owners after blasting 46,000-year-old Aboriginal site

Australian Associated Press
Sun 31 May 2020 09.33 BST
Last modified on Sun 31 May 2020 09.35 BST

Mining giant Rio Tinto has apologised to traditional owners in Western Australia’s north after destroying a significant Indigenous site dating back 46,000 years, saying it is urgently reviewing plans for other sites in the area.

Rio detonated explosives in a part of the Juukan Gorge last Sunday, destroying two ancient rock shelters, which has devastated the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people.

The mining giant was granted approval for work at the Brockman 4 iron ore project in 2013, but subsequent archaeological excavation revealed ancient artefacts including grinding stones, a bone sharpened into a tool and 4000-year-old braided hair.

-snip-

On Saturday, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Aboriginal Corporation rejected Rio’s suggestion its representatives had failed to make clear concerns about preserving the site during years of consultation between the two parties.

Spokesman Burchell Hayes labelled the claim outrageous, saying Rio was told in October about the significance of the rock shelters and the company replied it had no plans to extend the Brockman 4 mine.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/31/rio-tinto-apologises-to-traditional-owners-after-blasting-46000-year-old-aboriginal-site

[2naSalit]

1. They're NOT fucking sorry...

this is just lip service to cover themselves when the lawsuits get rolling.

[Mickju]

2. This is sickening.

The human race is going down the tubes.

[sop]

3. The company's name comes from the Rio Tinto,

a river in southwestern Spain, which has flowed red since mining began there about 5000 years ago, due to acid mine drainage. One would think this giant metals mining corporation, established in 1873, would have come up with a more environmentally friendly-sounding name by now.

[pscot]

4. They're lying