Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group should foot the entire compensation bill lodged by the Yindjibarndi people over mining on their lands in Western Australia’s iron-ore rich northwest, the state government has told the Federal Court.

The native title owners are seeking upwards of $500 million in compensation in a protracted dispute over Fortescue’s Solomon iron ore hub in the Pilbara, which is on Yindjibarndi land and expected to continue operations until at least 2033.