Australia: BHP agrees not to damage 40 Aboriginal heritage sites without further extensive consultation with traditional owners
"BHP agrees not to damage 40 Aboriginal heritage sites without consulting traditional owners", 11 June 2020
BHP has said it will not damage 40 Aboriginal heritage sites which it received ministerial permission to destroy without "further extensive consultation" with traditional owners, after Guardian Australia revealed that traditional owners had been legally prevented from speaking publicly about the sites.
It comes amid a mounting shareholder backlash against mining companies for their destruction of Aboriginal heritage....
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"We will not disturb the sites identified without further extensive consultation with the Banjima people," a BHP spokesman said. "That consultation will be based on our commitment to understanding the cultural significance of the region and on the deep respect we have for the Banjima people and their heritage.
"This will include further scientific study and discussion on mitigation and preservation."
The company said its relationship with the traditional owners was "of fundamental importance to our organisation".
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