The destruction of one ancient rock shelter is devastating. But there's a greater loss to cultural heritage that is occurring from the 'cumulative impacts' of mining operations in WA.
The Juukan Gorge site following its destruction by Rio Tinto in May 2020.
PKKP Aboriginal Corporation
For far too long, mining companies have let their social and cultural heritage commitments slide. The inquiry report should be a wake-up call for the industry.
Participants in the Wintawari Guruma Rock Art Research Project record rock art near Tom Price in the Pilbara region.
Jo McDonald, CRAR+M Database, Photo reproduced with permission WGAC
There are many questions about the inquiry into the destruction of an Aboriginal heritage site, including how it will be conducted, what will be publicly disclosed and who will be protected.
Juukan Gorge photographed May 15.
Puutu Kunti Kurrama And Pinikura Aboriginal Corporation
It's a devastating loss, but the destruction of a culturally significant Aboriginal site is not an isolated incident. Rio Tinto was acting within the law.
Mineral-rich Mongolia is experiencing a mining boom, but its growth is creating distrust and conflict with herder communities.
As the mining stops and the repair begins, the commitment of mining companies and government regulators are being put to the test on a global scale.
AAP Image/Tara Ravens
The shareholder resolution on climate change at Rio Tinto's AGM is another indication of how much investor culture is tilting towards demanding that companies take a responsible climate stance.
Queensland Alumina is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Rusal.
AAP
Many contracts have been ended in cases of war or changes in the law. But government action making a contract more expensive does not mean it will be terminated.
And if you wait too long to survey a community, it can end up being too be too late to turn the tide of opinion.
Richard Swinton
'Social licence to operate' is a term describing how much community support a project or company has. As the Northern Rivers CSG experience shows, failing to get it can have costly impacts for firms.
The mining sector is facing one of its toughest periods and large miners like BHP and Rio Tinto are not immune.
BHP/AAP
While it's easy for the large miners to argue increased iron ore production is business as usual, the overall cost to the sector warrants a closer inspection.
Rio Tinto’s Mount Thorley-Warkworth mine in the Hunter Valley, which looks set to expand further. The NSW planning department says it would “not be reasonable” to require Rio Tinto “to completely or even partially backfill the final void”.
Lock The Gate Alliance/Flickr
There are hundreds of derelict mine sites across New South Wales – and the state planning department has admitted it is "not aware of the total size" of large mining voids currently being left behind.
Vladimir Putin with Mongolia president Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj in Ulaanbaataar in 2014.
EPA
This latest part of our series on Russia’s relations with its neighbours focuses on the huge empty land of Mongolia, Moscow’s original Soviet satellite state in the 1920s. These days it sits on the verge…