Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation in Western Australia has raised concerns over a potential breach of Aboriginal heritage laws by Fortescue Metals Group, sparking a Government investigation.
The corporation represents Traditional Owners of Queen Valley in the state’s northwest where FMG’s Solomon Hub project is.
The mining company was granted permission from the Government to expand it’s mine on the condition that two Traditional Owners were present to observe any work disturbance works.
It is understood that disturbance works were expected to begin on February 22, however it happened on February 1 instead and without Traditional Owners present.
The WA Government is now investigating a potential breach of Section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
FMG says they are deeply sorry and that it was an administrative error that led to the incident.
Further destructive works have been paused.
