Rio Tinto boss under pressure over Aboriginal cave destruction
The boss of mining firm Rio Tinto is under growing pressure to quit after his company blew up a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal rock shelter described as one of the most significant finds in Australian archaeological history.
Jean-Sebastien Jacques has been condemned across the political spectrum for demolishing the prehistoric site so that Rio could access iron ore deposits worth £135m.
The company had been warned in 2018 that the Juukan Gorge cave in Western Australia was a priceless part of the nation's cultural heritage and one of a handful of places which had been occupied since the last ice age. A dig at the site discovered a wealth of sacred artifacts including a 4,000 year old plait of human hair.
Rio Tinto executives came under heavy fire from Australian MPs in a hearing on Friday for not reading a report on the site's importance which was commissioned two years ago by their own company.
The executives were also criticised for failing to answer questions posed by the government’s inquiry.
Mr Jacques admitted that his company had reviewed four options for the site, three of which did not involve its destruction.
The inquiry also heard that Aboriginal groups were not informed of the other options which did not involve the destruction of their land.
Even traditional industry allies are furious about the affair. Conservative newspaper The Australian – normally a supporter of big mining companies – has called for Mr Jacques’ “head to roll” over the debacle.
In an editorial, it asked: “How is Jacques still in the job nearly three months after the tragedy?”
At the other end of the spectrum, Reconciliation Australia – a group that promotes dialogue between Aboriginal groups and the country's authorities – said the decision to raze the site was a “breathtaking breach of a respectful relationship.”
Institutional shareholders have also raised concerns. AustralianSuper, a $94bn (£72bn) pension fund, said that the company’s decision to destroy the Aboriginal site was totally unacceptable and vowed to push for senior executives to be held accountable.
Meanwhile the $37bn Hesta pension fund said it has expressed its dismay to Rio bosses and is expecting "appropriate improvements".
Speaking to MPs, Mr Jacques said: "I am chief executive of Rio Tinto and the buck stops with me. My focus is putting this right and I am absolutely committed."
