A relationship breakdown between Rio and traditional landowners has come at the cost of cultural heritage, the miner's brand and maybe its future aspirations.
The site at Juukan Gorge that was reduced to rubble to extend one of Rio's iron ore mines. PKKP
Juukan Gorge was already packed with explosives when the traditional landowners contacted Rio Tinto on May 15.
The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) people were seeking permission to visit the culturally significant ironstone valley in July, and two months notice seemed to be plenty.
Peter KerResources reporterPeter Ker covers resource companies for The Australian Financial Review, based in Melbourne. Connect with Peter on Twitter. Email Peter at pker@afr.com
