No more sacred sites destroyed to make way for mining and iron extraction. This was announced by the mining giant BHP
No more sacred sites destroyed to make way for mining and iron extraction. This was announced by the mining giant BHP which has promised it will stop blowing up sacred sites in the aboriginal lands of Western Australia.
The cave in Juukan Gorge can no longer be saved, but everything else can. A few days ago, we told you about the destruction of the Aboriginal site dating back 46 thousand years to make room for the iron mine owned by the Rio Tinto Group, the third largest mining company in the world. Now comes the good news, the mining giant BHP has announced that it will stop destroying sacred sites and that all decisions will have to be made in agreement with the Aborigines.
A mining company blew up 46-year-old Aboriginal sacred cave to extract iron
BHP had planned to destroy up to 40 sacred sites for the Banjima people to make way for its $ 4,5 billion mine in South Flank, near Newman, Australia. All with the consent of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. But the destruction of the cave at Hammersley Ranges, about 60km from Mount Tom Price, one of the oldest in western Pilbara and the only inland site in Australia to show signs of continued human occupation during the last ice age, sparked national protests.
As we explained to you, these companies continue to act undisturbed due to obsolete laws dating back to 1972 that give them the green light and allow them to extract iron from the ancient site. But the protests followed and BHP issued a very important statement.
BEN WYATT GAVE BHP PERMISSION TO DESTROY 40 SACRED SITESMining giant BHP has announced it will place on hold plans to…
Posted by Sovereign Union on Thursday, June 11, 2020
"We will no longer act in sacred sites without consultation with the Banjima people and this consultation will take into account our effort to understand the cultural significance of the region and the deep respect we have for the Banjima people and their heritage."
@ABC News: Hugh Sando
BHP's announcement is truly revolutionary and represents a huge step forward in defending Aboriginal traditions and safeguarding sacred sites.
Source: ABC
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