Traditional owners campaign to halt Pilbara mine

Traditional owners are rallying against an iron ore minnow planning to develop a mine on the edge of Karijini National Park in WA’s mining heartland.

ASX-listed, Canada-focused Equinox Resources’ 343-million-tonne Hamersley Iron Ore Project has been earmarked near Rio Tinto and Fortescue mines on the north-western edge of the national park.

But the project has attracted the ire of the region’s native title body, Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation, which claims approving the project would be akin to the 1991 decision to allow Rio Tinto to slice out a section of Karijini for its Marandoo mine.

In October a terrestrial fauna survey was completed on site which indicated no material risk to local fauna or habitat and further environmental surveys are scheduled for March 2024.

WGAC director Dawn Hughes said her people could not sit by and watch mining “ruin” a pristine area.

“It is time the wider community understands the enormous pressure being put on the park from mining,” she said.

“If this mine goes ahead it will irrevocably ruin the western side of the park and Hamersley Gorge.

“How could the company or the government even contemplate a mine being built here?”

The body has launched a website and petition it hopes will alert the public to the alleged threats to Karijini from Equinox’s project.

Seven mines operate on WGAC’s native title lands, three of which were developed prior to native title.

Equinox claims on its website it has consulted with WGAC on a heritage survey and production plan.

But WGAC says it has raised environmental concerns about the project for the past three years.

The explorer reported in September drilling would commence soon to solidify the resource and further acquisitions to complement the project were being investigated.

A native title deed was struck between Equinox and WGAC in 2021.

The company also revealed it had engaged a legal firm and met with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti after “heritage issues” delayed exploration and development of the project.

“The company's mission is to maintain a close partnership with WGAC, striving for a mutually beneficial outcome as the project advances,” Equinox said in its September quarter statement.

Equinox is due to hold its annual general meeting in late November.

The company has been contacted for comment.