Mining firm BHP halts plan to disturb Aboriginal sites after outcry
Source: BBC
Mining firm BHP halts plan to disturb Aboriginal sites after outcry
11 June 2020
The mining giant BHP has halted plans to expand a mine in Western Australia because of concerns it could destroy dozens of indigenous heritage sites.
It follows a public outcry over the destruction of a 46,000-year-old site by another firm, Rio Tinto, last month.
BHP had been granted approval to work on up to 40 sites in the remote Pilbara region as part of its expansion of an iron ore mine.
But on Thursday, it said it would consult further with Aboriginal groups.
"We will not disturb the sites identified without further extensive consultation with the Banjima people," a statement said.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-53015925
The Juukan Gorge caves, in the Pilbara region, were destroyed last month (AFP)
= new reply since forum marked as read
