Mining Giant Fined for Breaking NT Sacred Site Laws

Aerial view of the McArthur River, NT, Australia – Image created by ChatGPT with DALL-E by OpenAI

VOCABULARY LIST

• Sacred site (noun) /ˈseɪkrəd saɪt/: A place of spiritual or cultural significance for Indigenous people.
  Example: The mining company was fined for carrying out work on a sacred site without approval.

• Unlawful (adjective) /ʌnˈlɔfʊl/: Not allowed by law; illegal.
  Example: The company admitted to unlawful works at the protected site.

• Plead guilty (phrasal verb) /plid ˈɡɪlti/: To officially admit in court that you committed a crime.
  Example: The mining company pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a fine.

• Hand over (phrasal verb) /hænd ˈoʊvə/: To give something officially or formally.
  Example: The company was required to hand over documents about its operations.

• Go ahead with (phrasal verb) /ɡoʊ əˈhɛd wɪð/: To continue or proceed with a plan despite possible issues.
  Example: The company went ahead with the water monitoring without proper approval.

• Authority certificate (noun) /ɔˈθɒrəti səˈtɪfəkət/: An official document that grants permission for work on protected land.
  Example: The company failed to obtain an authority certificate before starting construction.

• Raise concerns (verb phrase) /reɪz kənˈsɜnz/: To express worry or doubt about something.
  Example: Traditional owners raised concerns about the impact of the mine expansion.

• Go against (phrasal verb) /ɡoʊ əˈɡɛnst/: To break a rule, law, or agreement.
  Example: The unauthorised work went against the agreement with Indigenous groups.

• Carry out (phrasal verb) /ˈkæri aʊt/: To do or complete a task or action.
  Example: The company carried out environmental testing without permission.

• Tensions remain (verb phrase) /ˈtɛnʃənz rəˈmeɪn/: Conflicts or disagreements continue.
  Example: Despite the company’s apology, tensions remain between the mine and local Indigenous groups.

ARTICLE

A major mining company has been fined for illegally carrying out work on a sacred site in the Northern Territory for over 13 years. Swiss mining giant Glencore, which operates the McArthur River Mine (MRM), pleaded guilty and was fined $31,500 for conducting unauthorised works at a registered sacred site.

Unapproved Work on Sacred Land

The Darwin Local Court heard that in 2017, the company installed handrails at Barney Creek without getting approval from the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA). The creek is part of Damangani, a sacred Barramundi Dreaming site, and the company had been made aware of its significance in previous approvals for work at other sacred locations.

In addition, between 2009 and 2022, the company carried out water monitoring in the creek without an authority certificate. While MRM had approval for similar work in other locations, no formal application was made for this site.

Court’s Decision and Apology

Judge Alan Woodcock acknowledged that the company received verbal approval from a traditional owner, but stressed that it did not comply with the law. The court noted that while the mining company had strengthened its procedures to prevent future violations, it was still responsible for ensuring compliance.

Following the ruling, MRM issued an apology, stating that it regrets the concern caused to Indigenous traditional owners and custodians.

AAPA Chairperson Bobby Nunggumajbarr said the case was disappointing given MRM’s long history in the NT. "It’s frustrating to see a company that has operated in the Territory for so long fail to follow a well-established process," he said.

Ongoing Concerns Over Mine Expansion

The mine has already faced concerns over environmental damage. Between 2012 and 2016, testing in Barney Creek found unsafe levels of lead contamination in fish and mussels.

More recently, traditional owners have raised concerns about the mine’s expansion plans, which could further impact sacred sites. In 2021, AAPA issued warnings that the Damangani site could be affected by the mine’s waste rock dump expansion.

As the mine continues to operate, tensions remain over the protection of sacred lands and environmental safety.

SOURCE:

This article is based on: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-05/mcarthur-river-mine-nt-glencore-fined-sacred-site-works/105012126

Comprehension activity - multiple choice

1. Why was Glencore fined for its actions at McArthur River Mine?

a) For polluting the local water supply
b) For conducting unauthorised work on a sacred site
c) For not paying mining taxes
d) For expanding the mine without permission

2. What did the company fail to obtain before carrying out water monitoring at Barney Creek?

a) A mining licence
b) An environmental impact report
c) An authority certificate from AAPA
d) A verbal agreement from local officials

3. What additional concern have traditional owners raised about the mine?

a) A possible increase in employment opportunities
b) The expansion of the mine’s waste rock dump affecting sacred sites
c) A lack of government funding for mining projects
d) The construction of new roads leading to the mine

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