The mine, located about 1,500km north of Perth, has generated an estimated A$80bn (£42.6bn) in revenue since operations began and is expected to continue until the mid-2040s. More than 135sqkm of land has been fenced off from entry, including by the Yindjibarndi people themselves.
Despite the historic nature of the ruling, community members expressed deep disappointment at the figure. The Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation had sought A$1.8bn (£960mn), arguing it would represent one per cent of the production value of the mines while compensating for the destruction of around 250 cultural sites.
Fortescue had sought to cap the compensation at A$8m (£4.3m), while the western Australian government argued a figure of between A$5m and A$10m (£2.7m to £5.3m) would be appropriate.
Elder Wendy Hubert described the payout as “peanuts” compared with Fortescue’s earnings, according to the ABC.
The requested amount by the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation is, in my opinion not enough. It should have been the full amount made. And every penny going forward. And the billionaire owners should be strung up
Cost of doing business, as usual.
The requested amount by the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation is, in my opinion not enough. It should have been the full amount made. And every penny going forward. And the billionaire owners should be strung up