Fortescue Metals Group likely to appeal native title decision over iron ore mine

FORTESCUE Metals Group is likely to lodge an appeal after the Federal Court recognized a native title claimant group has exclusive rights over Pilbara land where the company operates the Solomon iron ore mine.

Proceedings began in 2003 and the land also includes Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting mining leases, and pastoral leases.

After the judgment was handed down on Thursday, senior Yindjibarndi lawman Michael Woodley vowed to launch a compensation claim.

But Fortescue chief executive Neville Power said the company would look at its options and was likely to appeal the court ruling, arguing the native title rights should be non-exclusive.

“We’re looking at that now and I think we’re likely to appeal,” he told on Friday.

“It’s a very unusual decision in that the judge found exclusive native title possession on this land, which we think is unlikely to be the case, so we will be looking at it.”

Mr Power said he continued to back breakaway native title claimant group Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, which splintered from the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation.

He insisted the miner had not split the community by supporting Wirlu-murra, saying there were problems beforehand. But Mr Woodley said Fortescue had been the divisive factor.

Meanwhile, Mr Power said the predicted $100 million compensation claim touted in the media was “wildly inaccurate”. The court decision has no effect on current and future operations or mining tenure at the Solomon project, Mr Power said.

” Mr Woodley said he was not surprised by Fortescue’s attitude but he was disappointed.

After Mr Power rattled off a list of job opportunities and business contracts the company had provided to Aboriginal people, Mr Woodley said Fortescue’s social obligations were entirely separate from native title.

“I think they’ve set ideology in terms of making sure indigenous people don’t succeed on our own rights,” he said.

“I think they have an issue with the Yindjibarndi people having exclusive rights and then launching a compensation claim.”

Source-perthnow