Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s Fortescue has been ordered to pay $150m to the traditional owners of land the company has been mining in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Andrew “ Twiggy ” Forrest’s Fortescue has been ordered to pay $150m to the traditional owners of land the company has been mining in Western Australia. Andrew “ Twiggy ” Forrest’s Fortescue has been ordered to pay $150m to the traditional owners of land the company has been mining in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The Federal Court ruled on Fortescue’s battle with the Yindjibarndi Nugurra Aboriginal Corporation on Tuesday, finding the Solomon hub mines had inflicted damage on the community. Federal Court judge Stephen Burley said at least 124 sites designated as “heritage places” have been completely destroyed by the mine. Mr Burley said this was done with the Western Australian government’s approval, but not with the approval of the YNAC.
Mr Forrest's company has been ordered to pay $150m in a native title case. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty ImagesSome elders have expressed their disappointment with the settlement, with one calling it “peanuts” compared to the revenue Fortescue built. Michael Woodley, the chief executive of YNAC, said he was disappointed with the payment and vowed to fight it.
"We don't get this far and stop. So we'll review it, we'll fight it. We've been fighting all our lives, right?
" Mr Woodley said, per the ABC. The Solomon mines have generated about $70b worth of assets over the course of their life. The Western Australian government was also sued by YNAC and it suggested the native titleholders be paid between $5m and $10m for cultural loss and $128,000 for economic loss. Fortescue argued it should pay no more than $8m.
Yindjibarndi witness Middleton Cheedy testified and said it was “very distressing” seeing trains carry tens of thousands of tonnes of ore at a time to port.
“I have been taught that my ngurra is precious and should not be defiled by a mine,” he told court. “The mine has taken everything, ngurra is gone, the spirits are gone, the water is gone, the caves are gone… and our ancestor’s remains have been put through the crushers on the mine site. ”It follows an almost two-decade long battle between Fortescue and the Yindjibarndi.
However, Fortescue proceeded with the mine construction despite failing to receive titleholders’ consent. The WA government issued Fortescue its mining licence and collected royalties from the iron ore shipments. Fortescue put out a statement to shareholders acknowledging the ruling and said it will look into the reasoning behind Justice Burley’s decision.
“Fortescue will review those reasons when available. ”About 2,200 staff are employed across the four mines which transport minerals 300 kilometres to the Herb Elliot Port and then to China.
Solomon Hub Andrew Forrest Stephen Burley YNAC Yindjibarndi Nugurra Aboriginal Corporation
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