Alarm as miners seek approval to impact heritage sites without #TraditionalOwners ' consent
Giovanni Torre - February 29, 2024
"A #WesternAustralian Traditional Owners group has expressed 'profound disappointment' over a mining company's Section 18 application to impact two sacred sites, submitted without the group's content.
"The #Wintawari #Guruma #Aboriginal Corporation told #NationalIndigenousTimes that #EquinoxResources Ltd submitted the application without seeking consent or consulting with them.
"The #NativeTitle holders noted that the Equinox project is 'on the doorstep of the iconic #Karijini #NationalPark", and that more than 15,000 people have signed an online petition to ask Equinox to 'reconsider their plans to damage the area'.
"Wintawari said they only learned through the media that Equinox had lodged a section 18 notice seeking ministerial approval to impact an area of land that retains cultural significance to Aboriginal people throughout the #Pilbara.
"'The Wintawari Traditional Owners are extremely disappointed that Equinox is yet to meet with the elders to discuss their section 18 notice through an implementation committee to be established under an agreement between them and Wintawari,' a spokesperson said.
"Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation said that it proposed a meeting with Equinox in Karratha on Thursday, 29 February to discuss the section 18 notice, adding that the company 'has apparently rejected the opportunity to engage with Wintawari and the Traditional Owners through the processes provided for in their agreement'.
"The Wintawari spokesperson told National Indigenous Times that the Equinox CEO is not able to meet with WGAC to consult on the section 18 application because he has gone overseas until 8 April.
"'This indicates to #WGAC that they are not serious about consulting with WGAC about our cultural heritage concerns. It is beyond belief that Equinox Resources submit a #Section18 application without any consultation with the native title holders, in contravention of the state's Section 18 Consultation Policy and Guidelines, and then their CEO heads off overseas for six weeks making himself unavailable to discuss the serious concerns that the #WintawariElders have about their #cultural heritage being destroyed,' the spokesperson said.
"'It is astounding that a CEO of an ASX listed resources company can demonstrate such disrespect to the traditional owners and an appalling lack of judgement.'
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"The Traditional Owners also noted that the Equinox project 'has potentially significant #environmental issues'.
"The project area is adjacent to the iconic Karijini National Park and a vital source of ground and surface water that nourishes the famous #HamersleyGorge."