Rio Tinto should pay restitution to traditional owners for destroying the sacred Juukan Gorge caves, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended.
Earlier this year, the company blasted the 46,000-year-old rock shelters in Western Australia's Pilbara region, despite warnings of the site's cultural significance.
Today, an interim report made seven recommendations including ceasing mining in the area, improving cultural heritage laws and paying compensation.
In its first recommendation, the inquiry said Rio Tinto should: "Ensure a full reconstruction of the Juukan rock shelters and remediation of the site at its own expense."
Earlier, the area's traditional owners, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) people, told the inquiry the loss was "immeasurable".
Today's interim report said Rio Tinto should:
"Commit to a permanent moratorium on mining in the Juukan Gorge area, negotiated with the PKKP, and that this is respected by all mining and exploration companies.
"Undertake an independent review of all its agreements with traditional owners to ensure they reflect best practice standards."
The inquiry also recommended Rio Tinto "commit to a voluntary moratorium" on applying for use of protected land under Section 18 of WA's Aboriginal Heritage Act.
The mining giant has apologised for the incident and three executives have been stood down.
Rio Tinto's role 'inexcusable'
Published by the Joint Standing Committee of Northern Australia, the report was titled "Never Again".
"Never again can we allow the destruction, the devastation and the vandalism of cultural sites as has occurred with the Juukan Gorge — never again!" it reads.
"The blast devastated a place of personal, community, national and international significance."
The committee said Rio Tinto’s role was "inexcusable".
"Rio knew the value of what they were destroying but blew it up anyway," the report reads.
More to come.
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Rio Tinto should pay compensation for Juukan Gorge caves blast, inquiry recommends - ABC News
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