Rio Tinto Destroys Ancient Site, Aboriginal Tribes Call To Reset Mining Sector Licenses

A man carrying an Aboriginal flag (Unsplash / Johan Mouchet)

JAKARTA - The blasting of a 46 thousand year old Aboriginal heritage site in Australia by mining company Rio Tinto has a long tail. The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal tribes demanded that the owner of a policy to rearrange mining sector permits and implement a moratorium.

Launching CNA, Thursday, December 10, the destruction of cultural heritage sites in Juukan Gorge in May, has hurt PKKP feelings. Through the power of the Australian parliament, the mining giant was asked to pay restitution to PKKP.

The rest, Rio Tinto was asked to rebuild the destroyed site, and committed to implementing a permanent moratorium on mining in the area. Not only that, the Australian parliament also recommended that all mining companies operating in Western Australia review agreements with traditional land owners. The move is to immediately stop any destruction of cultural heritage sites.

PKKP Aboriginal Corporation spokesman Burchell Hayes said the group welcomed the investigation's findings. "The destruction of the Juukan Gorge is a global disaster that has hit the hearts of the PKKP community and the wider community," he said.

"We hope that the preliminary findings of this investigation encourage a fundamental reorganization of the sector, particularly in the relationship between traditional owners and mining companies and pave the way forward for more equal partnerships fostered by mutual respect and benefit," said Hayes.

Rio Tinto also expressed his guilt. Company owner Simon Thompson said it was committed to no longer destroying important cultural sites. To that end, Rio Tinto is in the process of mediating an agreement with indigenous groups in order to rehabilitate the Juukan Gorge area and build facilities to store ancient artifacts.

"We recognize the destruction of the Juukan Gorge causing deep pain for the PKKP and we are working very hard to make improvements with them," said Simon Thompson.

Previously, Rio Tinto obtained permission from the local government to blow up the area. However, the explosion to mine iron ore has in fact destroyed the PKKP cultural heritage site. It was the destruction that angered the Australian public. As a result, two local officials resigned and Rio Tinto was forced by the investors to take responsibility.