Traditional owners have drawn comparisons to the destruction of Juukan Gorge as they prepare to give evidence against Fortescue Metals Group as part of a compensation claim that could top $500 million.

The traditional owners, represented by the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC), told the Federal Court last week that they wanted the compensation claim heard on their country in WA’s iron ore-rich Pilbara over 10 days.