Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.

Aboriginal group sues Australia for $1.1bln iron ore claim

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Feb 2025 09:10
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

The Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation (YNAC) argues that operations at the Solomon mining hub have caused significant damage to their land and culture.

Listen
  • x
  • Aboriginals dance in front of Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 11, 2008. (AP)
    Aboriginals dance in front of Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on February 11, 2008. (AP)

An Aboriginal group is seeking A$1.8 billion ($1.1 billion) in compensation from Western Australia, stressing that the state allowed Fortescue to mine iron ore without securing a land use agreement, according to court filings on Wednesday.

The Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation (YNAC) argues that operations at the Solomon mining hub have caused significant damage to their land and culture. Their charges include A$1 billion for cultural damage and A$678 million for economic loss, as outlined in Federal Court of Australia filings.

This is expected to be a landmark case, not only due to the scale of the compensation sought but also for its potential to set a precedent that could pave the way for similar claims over past damages.

Dive deeper

YNAC is suing the state government for authorizing the mining, with the expectation that the state will then seek to recover losses by suing Fortescue, the world’s fourth-largest iron ore miner.

"Fortescue accepts that the Yindjibarndi People are entitled to compensation, however the parties disagree on the amount of that compensation," Fortescue stated in a comment to Reuters.

In its final court submission, the state government argued that total compensation for economic loss should be A$128,114, with interest of A$92,957. For cultural loss, the state proposed a range of A$5 million to A$10 million, saying this would "appropriately reflect what the Australian community would accept as fair, reasonable or just."

The court is hearing arguments this week, though a decision is not expected until late this year.

Driving the news

Western Australia supplies about half of the world’s seaborne iron ore, a critical ingredient for steelmaking.

The case follows the 2020 destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters by Rio Tinto, which provoked global outrage and led to the resignation of the company’s CEO and chairman.

According to expert testimonies in court filings, the Solomon mine has caused "existential damage" to the Yindjibarndi people by destroying cultural and archaeological sites, including more than 285 significant sites and six Dreaming or creation story tracks. These tracks are central to Australia's understanding of human settlement in its arid regions, dating back 40,000 to 45,000 years.

"The significant harm to country, people and Dreamings remains ongoing," the report stated.

The Yindjibarndi people secured exclusive native title rights in 2017 over land that includes the Solomon mining hub, a mineral-rich project that began in 2012 and can produce up to 80 million tonnes of iron ore annually. Native title is an Australian legal doctrine recognizing Indigenous rights to specific lands.

Fortescue's founder, Andrew Forrest, is among Australia's wealthiest individuals. The company reported a net profit of $5.7 billion in the last financial year.

Read next: Australian PM calls for urgent reforms in indigenous welfare

  • Aboriginal group
  • Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation
  • indigenous people
  • Australia

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
The Mann beach lighthouse stands next to Naufragio Bay in San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, May 2, 2020. (AP)
Politics

Ecuador's Noboa considering hosting foreign military bases

Inside Rubio's push for government change in Venezuela: DropSite
Politics

Inside Rubio's push for government change in Venezuela: Drop Site

Maduro rejects US accusations, highlights ties with Colombia
Politics

Maduro rejects US accusations, highlights ties with Colombia

Pentagon accepts $130M anonymous donation during shutdown
Politics

Pentagon accepts $130 mln anonymous donation during shutdown

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS