A new investigation is under way after blasting at a Rio Tinto mine site in the Pilbara disturbed an ancient rock shelter.
The site, somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 years old, was 150 metres from the blast zone and Traditional Owners, the Muntulgura Guruma people, had warned that it is an important area that requires protection.
In an exclusive report, The West Australian revealed the incident on Friday.
It's reported that Rio's board was alerted when photographs near the Nammuldi mine, 60km from Tom Price, an inland town at the edge of the Hamersley Range, showed a tree near the rock shelter had collapsed. A large boulder had dislodged and rolled down the side of the entrance of the cave.
The extent of the damage to the rock shelter is yet to be determined. Rio Tinto chief executive Simon Trott told The West the company has apologised to the Muntulgura Guruma people.
The incident comes two-and-a-half years after the notorious destruction of ancient rock shelter Juukan Gorge by Rio Tinto.
More to come.
