The West Australian Government is investigating a potential breach of Aboriginal heritage laws by a mining company in the state’s north-west.
Key points:
- The State Government is investigating an alleged breach of WA heritage laws
- It comes two days after reports of damage to a separate culturally significant site
- Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt says it’s being treated “very seriously”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Wyatt said the government was “officially investigating” a suspected breach of Section 18 of the Cultural Heritage Act.
“The matter is being treated very seriously and with utmost priority by the Department,” Mr Wyatt said.
“I trust that the investigation will be managed expeditiously and concluded swiftly.”
The revelation of the suspected breach comes two days after damage to a culturally-significant site near a BHP mine in the Pilbara was reported.
Last year, iron ore miner Rio Tinto attracted international condemnation for its destruction of 46,000-year-old rock shelters at Juukan Gorge.
More to come.