Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has issued a warning to miners in Australia, emphasizing the need to avoid a repeat of the catastrophic destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters by Rio Tinto in 2020. Plibersek made these comments at the Minerals Council of Australia annual conference, where she rejected a company’s application for a tailings dam near the Belubula River in New South Wales on indigenous heritage grounds. The decision was made under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act, in favor of the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation.
Plibersek’s decision to reject the tailings dam application has been met with criticism from the mining industry, with some companies claiming delays of up to 10 years for their projects. The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry as a result of her veto, but emphasized the importance of upholding indigenous heritage rights and avoiding similar cultural heritage disasters in the future. She referenced the failed attempts at cultural heritage law reform in Western Australia following the Juukan Gorge incident, and urged miners to work towards greater certainty and progress in their operations.
The destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters by Rio Tinto sparked global outrage and condemnation, prompting calls for stricter regulations and increased protection of indigenous heritage sites. The incident highlighted the importance of respecting traditional owner’s wishes and involving them in decision-making processes that impact their land and culture. Plibersek’s decision to reject the tailings dam application sent a clear message to the mining industry that the protection of indigenous heritage rights is paramount, and that companies must consider these factors in their operations.
Regis Resources, the company whose project was affected by Plibersek’s veto, has been forced to find an alternate location for its tailings dam in order to proceed with its gold project near Blayney. Despite facing delays, the company is required to comply with the Minister’s decision and work with the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners to ensure that their project respects indigenous heritage and environmental concerns. Plibersek’s stance on the issue underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing cultural heritage protection and indigenous rights over industry interests, setting a precedent for future developments in the mining sector.
The Juukan Gorge incident served as a wake-up call for the mining industry and government regulators, prompting a reassessment of policies and practices related to the protection of indigenous heritage sites. Plibersek’s decision to veto the tailings dam application reflects a shift towards greater accountability and responsibility in addressing the concerns of traditional owners and indigenous communities affected by mining activities. The Minister’s warning to miners to avoid another Juukan Gorge catastrophe underscores the need for industry stakeholders to prioritize cultural heritage protection and sustainable development in their operations, in order to avoid further damage to Australia’s unique and irreplaceable heritage sites.
