Western Australian Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti has denied Equinox Resources’ application to drill at an iron ore mine in the Pilbara region, Equinox said on Monday.
The mine is next to Karijini National Park, the second-largest national park in Australia, which includes Indigenous heritage sites.
Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, Western Australian landowners must consult the Aboriginal Affairs Minister if their land use could impact a heritage site.
“Equinox Resources is both surprised and disappointed by the Minister's decision to deny consent for our proposed infill drilling program at the Hamersley Iron Ore Project,” said Equinox Managing Director Zac Komur in a statement to the ASX.
“We are pursuing all available legal avenues, including a review through the Sate Administrative Tribunal, to ensure fair representation and to ensure that our project can continue to make a positive impact on the region,” Komur said.
Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation (WGAC), the Indigenous organisation managing the land, said in February that drilling would affect two Indigenous heritage sites, as well as pollute ground and surface water.
"The Eastern Guruma people have not experienced this level of disrespect toward their cultural heritage from a mining company for more than a decade,” said a WGAC spokesperson after Equinox filed its application.
The heritage sites were officially identified in a 2023 survey.
The Aboriginal Heritage Act was amended at the end of last year. According to the state’s government, the changes “strengthen the role of Aboriginal people in the approval process, prohibit ‘gag clauses’ and provide equal rights of review for native title parties on Ministerial decisions.”
Equinox Resources (ASX: EQN)’s share price closed at A$0.13 yesterday, down from a previous close of $0.21. Its market cap is $16.1 million.