The Yindjibarndi people are seeking compensation for economic and cultural loss from Fortescue or the WA government over mining on their land in the iron-ore rich Pilbara.
The Yindjibarndi people are entitled to compensation for economic and cultural or spiritual loss from Fortescue Metals or the West Australian government over mining on their land in the state’s northwest, the Federal Court has been told.
The court was told in such circumstances, the Indigenous owners were entitled to compensation for economic loss, which could be the responsibility of Fortescue or the government, and also for cultural or spiritual loss. “The circumstances here are the great wealth that is being generated for the state and the miner, and the absolute devastation and destruction that has been brought upon Yindjibarndi country and the consequential spiritual damage,” Yindjibarndi’s counsel told the court.
The company has since exhausted all legal avenues of appeal, with the High Court in 2020 refusing it special leave to appeal again and upholding a previous decision of the Federal Court.The hearings in Roebourne have been set down for two weeks. On Monday next week, the court will also visit the mine site.