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Despite huge upfront protests, caves in the mountainous Juukan Gorge area were blown up.
The area is located in the state of Western Australia, where there are several large mining facilities that extract iron ore.
Rio Tinto, which is the second largest mining company in the world, received permission in 2013 to expand a mining area in the Pilbara region. The permit attracted attention because the area to be mined is located in the middle of what is considered the oldest settlement area for Australia’s indigenous peoples, the Aborigines.
When archaeologists carried out an excavation in 2014, they found bony remains of kangaroos in one of the caves that were estimated to be 28,000 years old.
Remains of a belt, twisted by long human hair, were also found. DNA tests showed that it was from Aboriginal groups that scientists have established have been in the area for many tens of thousands of years.
The Pilbara region of Western Australia is known for its large iron ore deposits.
Photo: David Gray / Reuters
The mountainous area and the caves are also considered a sacred place for those who have lived in the area.
I lost the voucher and I must go
Although the expansion of the mine provoked strong opposition, Rio Tinto decided to implement the plans.
The mountainous area, including two caves, was destroyed by the explosion, which is said to have occurred just 11 meters from one of the ancient caves.
Internal documents show that the company had hired a law firm in case the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people, who have traditionally owned the area, went to court.
According to the state’s indigenous minister, Ben Wyatt, the company did not notify him in advance that they intended to implement the controversial plans.
The protests and pressure eventually became too great for the leadership and the board. Not least after the company’s own corporate social responsibility body, investors and shareholders expressed concern and dissatisfaction.
Jean-Sebastien Jacques has to leave the highest position as a result of the destruction of the cave.
Photo: Will Russell / AP
In May, it was decided that the chief executive officer, Frenchman Jean-Sebastien Jacques, would not receive the $ 3.5 million bonus due to the devastation caused by the controversial expansion. But it turned out not to be enough to create calm.
The news of his resignation arrived yesterday, along with two other leaders of the company.
Promise that similar things will not happen again
– What happened in Juukan was wrong. We are determined that the destruction of places of cultural and archaeological importance will not happen again, says the president of the company, Simon Thomas, in a statement.
“Major property interests have raised concerns about responsibility for mistakes that have occurred, it is further stated.
An internal investigation report, completed in August, concluded that there was “no single cause or failure that led directly to the destruction of the cave.”
Jean-Sebastien Jacques, who has led Rio Tinto since 2016, will leave the top position as soon as a successor is found, no later than March 31 next year. The other two retire at the beginning of the year.
President Simon Thomas promises that the company will now work hard to restore trust in indigenous peoples and the public.
Welcome to the 21st century
The head of Australia’s National Indigenous Council says it is good that the company is taking responsibility, but that resignations are only the first step.
– We hope this sends a message to the entire mining sector: You must join the 21st century and start taking environmental, social and social responsibility seriously, says Jamie Lowe.
Australian authorities are also clearing their own ranks as a result of the case.
The Australian National Assembly has carried out its own investigation into the mine explosion and Western Australian state authorities are exploring the possibility of changing the laws governing mining near important cultural heritage sites.
