The fears of standard owners in the western Pilbara, “deeply distressed” after Rio Tinto detonated explosives over the weekend in a location near culturally considerable sites going back more than 46,000 years, have been verified.
Key points:
- Rio Tinto has verified the gorge’s ancient rock shelters were ruined in blasting over the weekend
- Approval was signed off in 2013 and was understood to “effect Juukan 1 and Juukan 2 rock shelters”
- In 2014, an archaeologist found several “incredible” artefacts believed to be the earliest use of grindstone technology in WA
A Rio Tinto spokesperson said blasting in Juukan Canyon happened over the weekend, and on Tuesday the company validated its ancient rock shelters were destroyed.
“[Rio Tinto] has, where practicable, modified its operations to prevent heritage effects and to secure locations of cultural significance to the group.”
Puutu Kunti Kurrama (PKK) traditional owners said the mining giant had actually detonated charges in an area of the Juukan Gorge, about 60 kilometres north-west of Tom Cost, and feared 2 ancient, deep time rock shelters would be “annihilated” in the blasts.
” Our individuals are deeply troubled and saddened by the destruction of these rock shelters and are grieving the loss of connection to our forefathers as well as our land,” said John Ashburton, chair of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama Land Committee.
Rio Tinto received approval to conduct the blasts in 2013 under Area 18 of the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act.
Mr Ashburton said PKK conventional owners were irritated by