RKI.news | Source: Anadolu Agency
CANBERRA: An Australian court has ordered mining giant Fortescue Metals Group to pay 150 million Australian dollars ($108 million) to the Indigenous Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation over unauthorized iron ore mining on traditional land in Western Australia.
The ruling marks the largest native title compensation payout in Australia’s history and concludes a legal dispute that lasted nearly two decades. The case centered on mining operations established without the consent of the traditional landowners.
Despite the landmark decision, several Yindjibarndi elders expressed disappointment, arguing the compensation was small compared to the billions of dollars generated from the mines since production began in 2013. Community representatives had originally sought 1.8 billion Australian dollars for economic losses, cultural damage, and the destruction of sacred sites.
The Yindjibarndi people were officially recognized in 2017 as the exclusive native title holders of a 2,700-square-kilometre area in Western Australia. Mining operations in the region are expected to continue until at least the mid-2040s.