'Gag order' warning delivered by Rio Tinto lawyers to traditional owners before caves destroyed, inquiry hears

Lawyers for mining company Rio Tinto warned traditional owners trying desperately to save the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters that they could not speak publicly about the issue, an inquiry has heard.

Northern Territory MP Warren Snowden asked Ms Meredith what the PKKP people would have lost if they breached the agreement."We are in danger in fact of losing all the benefits that come with the agreement … which is a very serious outcome from our people," she said.PKKP chief executive Carol Meredith says the group came under pressure from Rio Tinto.

The PKKP's group's cultural and heritage manager, Heather Bluith, said many artefacts were held by Rio Tinto in shipping containers at the Brockman mine site, with others on display in the administration building.She said the traditional owners did not have access to the artefacts without permission from Rio Tinto.

Ms Meredith said the PKKP had worked with Rio Tinto after the Juukan Gorge destruction to secure a temporary moratorium for six months on any further work in areas of high cultural sensitivity.But in the past three days, she said traditional owners had become aware FMG had a prospecting licence in the moratorium area and was now seeking a mining licence.

"Fortescue has commenced discussions with the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation regarding conducting extensive heritage surveys of the area and confirms that there are no current plans to mine the area.

Ownership of artifacts, taken hostage,kept by RioTinto on display in premises and in a container? 250 year possession. You shall not covert, neighbors goods. Foundation stone of MPSWestminster LAW. Genocidal contempt appears as occupation provision. NITV. GretaThunberg

Shameful act, but some turn a blind eye. Whilst Reconciliation Australia revoked the endorsement of Rio Tinto.The AFL snubs its nose at the promise to'fight racism on and off the field',by maintaining its Corporate Partnership with the disgraced miner!And not a peep from our ABC?

Disgraceful.

It makes me feel sick what the terrorists RioTinto have done. Australian heritage that can never be replaced. The continued rail roading of the traditional owners is appalling

Reason for 'gag' order - they knew what they were doing is wrong

Don’t they call this progress and don’t Aborigines use power and fuel like everyone else they also make millions on land seems to me blackmail rights they are never happy not matter what is done my opinion only

They were caves not gothic hand built cathedrals.

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