Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group said on Thursday that it would not support a shareholder resolution that urged it to halt mining activities that could damage Aboriginal cultural heritage sites because it already has proper procedures in place.
A shareholder group backed by Aboriginal leaders on Thursday urged Fortescue to commit not to damage or disturb cultural heritage sites and lift any confidentiality provisions for traditional owners.
The shareholder resolution comes amid heightened focus on agreements between Australia’s iron ore majors and Aboriginal groups, after rival Rio Tinto legally blew up a rock shelter in May that showed 46 000 years of human habitation, against the wishes of the traditional owners. The resolution asks the world’s fourth-largest iron ore miner to adopt a moratorium on activities that may impact the sacred sites until relevant Australian laws are strengthened, the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility said in a statement.