Equinox Resources’ Aboriginal heritage headaches next to Karijini National Park rope in Fortescue, Rio Tinto

Adrian Rauso The West Australian

Karijini National Park Credit: Dan Avila/Tourism Western Australia

Tensions between a junior miner and an Aboriginal corporation at the iron ore-rich fringes of Karijini National Park have spilled over onto Fortescue and Rio Tinto territory.

The State Government last month quietly registered swathes of Pilbara land and water as two distinct sites of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The ruling was based on information from a heritage study commissioned by Australian Securities Exchange-listed Equinox Resources to progress the company’s flagship project — Hamersley.

Equinox wants to mine a 343-million-tonne iron ore deposit adjacent to the north-western edge of Karijini’s boundary, but the Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation has vehemently opposed the proposal.

WGAC argues the mine would tarnish Karijini, which is WA’s second-largest national park and a famed tourist hotspot known for its pristine landscapes.

Equinox’s Hamersley project and surrounding tenements. Credit: Equniox Resources

One of the freshly registered sites — Elinili Range — has been made public on a Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage online portal.

Elinili predominantly spreads across Karijini, while also sneaking into the margins of both Equinox’s Hamersley and a neighbouring tenement package controlled by Fortescue.

It is the second site — Wulkajaramunha Wuntu — that has been causing some agitation behind closed doors, The West Australian understands, and its existence is yet to be made public.

Wulkajaramunha comprises a web of creeks and gullies that flow to the Fortescue River and extends all the way up to the doorstep of Fortescue’s prized Solomon mining hub, according to documents sighted by The West.

Unlike Elinili, Wulkajaramunha pierces deeper into a swag of Fortescue and Rio tenements, as well as Hamersley, on the outer of Karijini’s north-western boundary.

Both Elini and Wulkajaramunha are classified as “dreaming narrative” sites.

Equinox and Rio declined to comment, while Fortescue did not comment directly on the two registered sites.

Fortescue River in blue and the large green space showing Karijini National Park. Credit: Wikipedia

“We are committed to preserving First Nations Australian heritage and have dedicated Heritage, Native Title and community teams that work hand in hand with First Nations people to ensure cultural heritage is managed sustainably and responsibly,” a Fortescue spokeswoman said.

A State Government spokesman confirmed two sites “within the boundaries of Karijini” had been registered on September 19.

“The surrounding area is currently the subject of a Section 18 consent application by Equinox Resources,” he said.

Elinili Range highlighted in blue. The green area is Karijini National Park. Credit: Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

A site being registered as an area of Aboriginal cultural heritage does not necessarily prevent mining, but it gives local Aboriginal groups greater influence in the approvals process.

The Section 18 application, lodged by Equinox in February, seeks permission from WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti to disturb registered sites.

A Section 18 application was the controversial mechanism that enabled Rio Tinto to blow up Juukan Gorge in 2020.

To complicate matters, WGAC holds multiple tenements in the vicinity of Elini and Wulkajaramunha. WGAC previously claimed it has pegged the ground to ensure “culturally safe” mining.

WGAC, which has existing partnerships with both Rio and Fortescue, did not respond to requests for comment.