Archived press release

Aborigines challenge rio tinto

5 September 2002

Mining giant Rio Tinto is being challenged to abandon a proposed uranium mine in the heart of an Australian national park, after local aborigines made it clear that they opposed the project. Rio Tinto said it would not go ahead with the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine in the Kakadu National Park without permission from the Mirrar aboriginal people.

The Senior Traditional Owner of the Mirrar, Yvonne Margarula, today reaffirmed her opposition to the mine. The Mirrar are now challenging Rio Tinto to rehabilitate the mining site, where there is a 1.2km underground tunnel, and incorporate the land into Kakadu National Park, featured in the ‘Crocodile Dundee’ films.

Ms Margarula stated: "It doesn't matter how many times they ask, I'm not going to agree to this mine, whatever money they ask for it. Mining ruins the land. Just like the way the other Rio Tinto uranium mine, Ranger, has destroyed my land. My mind is firmly set."

Friends of the Earth today said that as consent for Jabiluka will never be forthcoming, Rio must immediately commence rehabilitation of the site.

Ed Matthew, Corporates Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"The Mirrar aborigines have made it clear that they will never support the destructive Jabiluka uranium mine. Rio Tinto must now keep its promise, scrap this damaging project and rehabilitate the site. So long as the threat of Jabiluka hangs over the Mirrar aborigines, Rio Tinto's commitments to sustainability and community consultation are meaningless and contemptuous.“

The Mirrar also challenge Rio Tinto’s claim that there has been no damage to sacred sites at Jabiluka. The Mirrar Traditional Owners have issued numerous statements regarding the desecration of sacred sites at Jabiluka and sought a Northern Territory Supreme Court injunction against the construction of the mine tunnel in July 1998, arguing that a sacred site would be desecrated." Jabiluka has been the subject of persistent questioning and protest at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, where Rio Tinto has been trying to persuade governments and the public that it supports sustainable development.

Ed Matthew added: “This is the litmus test. Failure to incorporate this site back into Kakadu National Park would clearly show that Rio Tinto’s only interest in the environment is corporate green wash.”

Hearings for an Australian Senate inquiry into the contamination caused by Rio Tinto's Kakadu uranium operations commence on 30 September.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust