We wondered last week why Rio Tinto had announced its “board-led review” of “the events at Juukan Gorge” would be led solely by independent non-executive director Michael L’Estrange, when Rio staff were explicitly told in a June 10 internal briefing that a review “with significant board oversight” would be conducted “with an Indigenous leader”.

So, following its wanton obliteration of a 46,000-year-old sacred site, the company promised its devastated employees a bona fide investigation steered by an eminent Aboriginal person but, only nine days later, advised the London and Australian stock exchanges it would merely “seek input” from and “be informed through engagement with Indigenous leaders” (plural!). In one deft contrivance, Rio Tinto downgraded its dedicated inspector to a nameless committee.