MINE SITE BLOCKADED IN PROTEST OVER SACRED SITES

The main entrance to Roy Hill mine has been blockaded since 7 am today. Credit: Supplied.

Protesters have blockaded the main entrance to the Roy Hill mine site in the East Pilbara, where they say sacred sites have been desecrated.

The protesters are members of the Wunna Nyiparli group who say their rights to make decisions for country have been denied.

Roy Hill is an iron ore mine majority-owned by Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting. Wunna Nyiparli woman Ailsa Roy said the road would be blocked until her group could gain a meeting with Ms Rinehart.

“We have three cars blocking the entrance,” said Ms Roy.

”They’ve detoured all their trucks to another access road which we’ll block when other people get here.”

The blockade was first deployed on Saturday. Mine management negotiated with the protesters to remove the blockade until senior management could meet with the Wunna Nyiparli people on Wednesday. Ms Roy said yesterday’s meeting was dissatisfactory, so the blockade was reinstalled at 7 am this morning. 

Ms Roy said sacred sites had been desecrated at Roy Hill and a nearby FMG mine.

“There’s been desecration of sacred sites and burial sites reported by different workers working at FMG and on Roy Hill, and we don’t have notification that this is happening,” she said.

“Gina Rinehart does not have authority to be here on Roy Hill. We can prove that, but she refuses to have a meeting with us, so that’s why we’re here.”

Ms Roy said police arrived at the blockade site late this morning. This afternoon, Roy Hill delivered a letter asking protesters to move. Ms Roy said she had no plans to leave the site.

Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation are the Native Title holders for the area. Wunna Nyiyaparli’s Native Title claim was dismissed in 2016.

According to a spokesperson, Roy Hill is working with police to ensure vehicles can enter and exit the site and has been providing protesters with food and water.

“It is believed the group are disputing a 2018 Federal Court decision to award Native Title to an area of land which includes some of the Roy Hill operations and a number of other companies’ mining operations,” they said.

They said Roy Hill is committed to the strong relationships it has built with traditional owner groups.

Ngaarda Media has contacted Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation for comment.