WA Government and YNAC appeal Fortescue compensation ruling

The Western Australian government and Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation have contested a Federal Court decision ordering Fortescue Metals Group to pay $107.9 million in compensation. This sum covers cultural loss, economic loss, and accrued interest for iron ore mining activities on Yindjibarndi land without a native title agreement.

The ruling, one of the largest under Australia's native title laws, was handed down in May. Fortescue, under former CEO Andrew Forrest, has generated about A$80 billion in revenue from the Pilbara region since 2013, operating on the land without a native title agreement despite multiple negotiations. The indigenous group has appealed, seeking a larger compensation amount, while the WA Government also plans to contest the ruling.

The court found that Fortescue's mining operations caused significant harm to Yindjibarndi cultural sites, including the destruction of 124 out of 240 heritage places. The state government maintains that clarity in the legal framework for future native title compensation is needed but has not disclosed its grounds for appealing. Fortescue has reportedly already paid the amount ordered.