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Rio to investigate Juukan response

he fallout from the Juukan Gorge caves J-S Jacques, chief executive of Rio Tinto, suspension will depend on how it engages
Tcontinued through June with the Puutu said: “Our immediate priority is to regain the with the Traditional Owner groups.
Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Aboriginal Cor- trust of Traditional Owners, starting with the It will also be dependent on Rio Tinto re-
poration (PKKP) raising questions about the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people. leasing a full and public review into the mat-
sincerity of Rio Tinto Ltd’s apologies. We very much look forward to incorporating ter, sustained action in light of the review,
The controversy emerged in late May the findings of the board-led review into our and “meaningful accountability”.
after Rio Tinto admitted it had destroyed heritage processes and approach.” “Our heritage processes will be com-
two ancient sacred caves as part of its The PKKP had said discussions had prehensively reviewed, with board and in-
Brockman iron ore mine expansion in the been “productive” but an article in the digenous leader oversight, to help identify,
Pilbara. Rio Tinto conducted the blast in Australian Financial Review on June 15 understand and recommend ways to im-
accordance with its permits under Section revealed details of a leaked tape which prove,” Rio Tinto said.
18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972) reportedly had Rio Tinto Iron Ore boss The Northern Australia Committee has
but the PKKP claims that since the permit Chris Salisbury telling staff: “That’s why we started an inquiry into the destruction of the
was awarded in 2013, ancient artefacts had haven’t apologised for the event itself, per Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge.
been identified in the Juukan Gorge rock se, but apologised for the distress the event The inquiry will examine how the destruc-
shelters. Archaeological research has re- caused”. tion of the caves came about; the process-
vealed highly significant ancient artefacts In response to the leaked tape, the PKKP es that failed to protect the site; the impacts
found in two rock shelters at the site, with said it would be taking the issue up with Rio on Traditional Owners; and the legislative
some known to date back 20,000 years be- Tinto. changes required to prevent such incidents
fore the last Ice Age. “As recently as Friday [June 12], we per- from recurring.
PKKP Land Committee chair John Ash- sonally met with senior Rio Tinto officials, Committee chair, Warren Entsch, said
burton said the PKKP people were frustrat- including Chris Salisbury, in the Pilbara,” it was inconceivable that such a valuable
ed by a rigid regulatory system that did not the PKKP said in a statement. “To date, our heritage site could be destroyed in com-
consider important new information, such discussions have been productive and we plete accordance with the law and without
as the archaeological finds in the Juukan believe Rio Tinto’s apologies to be genuine any means for Traditional Owners or their
Gorge, once a Section 18 notice is granted. and sincere – both in terms of the physical representatives to effectively intervene.
“We recognise that Rio Tinto has com- destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shel- “The Committee wants to find out how
plied with its legal obligations, but we are ters, as well as the trauma caused by the this was allowed to happen and how we
gravely concerned at the inflexibility of the loss of this globally significant heritage site. will prevent such occurrences in the future.
regulatory system which does not recog- “Monday’s story by Joe Aston in the Aus- The States and Territories and the Com-
nise the importance of such significant ar- tralian Financial Review raises questions monwealth have an absolute obligation to
chaeological discoveries within the Juukan relating to the sincerity of Rio Tinto’s apolo- preserve our Indigenous heritage for the
Gorge once the Minister has given con- gies, including those made publicly and pri- benefit of all Australians,” Entsch said.
sent.” vately by Mr Salisbury. Rio Tinto said it would fully cooperate
In response, Rio Tinto has launched a “We will be addressing this matter with with the inquiry, stating: “We are commit-
board-led review of its heritage manage- Rio Tinto so as to ensure transparency and ted to engaging with the rest of the indus-
ment processes, with a focus on recom- trust in our conversations as we continue to try, Traditional Owner Groups, and federal
mending improvements to the effectiveness determine the way forward.” and state governments across a number of
of its internal processes and governance. Reconciliation Australia, the lead body areas relating to cultural heritage approvals
“The decision to conduct a board-led re- for promoting better ties between the wider and processes, and the broad contribution
view of events at Juukan Gorge reflects our Australian community and Aboriginal and of the resources sector to Australia.”
determination to learn lessons from what Torres Strait Islander peoples, suspended Paydirt requests for interview with both
happened and to make any necessary im- Rio Tinto from its reconciliation pan follow- Rio Tinto and the PKKP were declined.
provements to our heritage processes and ing the controversy. The NGO said it had
governance,” Simon Thompson, chairman met with Rio Tinto executives to convey its – Paydirt staff with Reuters
of Rio Tinto, said. “extreme concern” and that a review of the

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