Mining giant Rio Tinto has cut the bonuses of three executives over the destruction of two ancient caves in Australia.
In May, the world's biggest iron ore miner destroyed the sacred Aboriginal sites in Pilbara, Western Australia.
The company went ahead with the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters despite the opposition of Aboriginal traditional owners.
Rio Tinto bosses lose bonuses over Aboriginal cave destruction https://t.co/uN2jP8JUGz
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) August 24, 2020
They were among the oldest historic sites in Australia.
The caves showed evidence of continuous human habitation dating back 46,000 years.
Rio Tinto's chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques will lose a total of £2.7m.
Chris Salisbury, chief executive of iron ore, and Simone Niven, group executive of corporate relations, will lose payouts of more than half a million pounds each.
The company, whose shares are listed in both London and Sydney, said it would provide more details on the bonus cuts in its 2020 remuneration report.
All three will remain in their roles.
"It is clear that no single individual or error was responsible for the destruction of the Juukan rockshelters," said Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson.
"But there were numerous missed opportunities over almost a decade and the company failed to uphold one of Rio Tinto's core values - respect for local communities and for their heritage."
The sites were above about eight-million tonnes of high-grade iron ore, with an estimated value at the time of £75m.
"We will implement important new measures and governance to ensure we do not repeat what happened at Juukan Gorge and we will continue our work to rebuild trust with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people," said Mr Thompson.
The review found that while the company had obtained legal authority for the blasts, the decision fell short of the standards and internal guidance Rio Tinto had set for itself.
It also found that the firm had failed to properly engage with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama people, the traditional owners of the site.
'Devastating blow'
After the caves were destroyed, a PKKP representative, John Ashburton, said losing the site was a "devastating blow".
"There are less than a handful of known Aboriginal sites in Australia that are as old as this one... its importance cannot be underestimated," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
"Our people are deeply troubled and saddened by the destruction of these rock shelters and are grieving the loss of connection to our ancestors as well as our land."
Mr Salisbury apologised for the company's actions at the time: "We are sorry for the distress we have caused."
"We pay our respects to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People," he added.
The BBC has contacted the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation for comment.
Latest Stories
-
Bellingham wins Laureus Breakthrough award
38 mins -
GPL: Berekum Chelsea beat Medeama to go fifth
42 mins -
Debt Restructuring: Government to reach agreement with IPPs in May
59 mins -
It’s time for Ghana to move from NPP and NDC – Abu Sakara insists
1 hour -
NCCE launches 2024 Annual Constitution Week in Kumasi
1 hour -
Dumsor: Yvonne Nelson criticises Akufo-Addo for taking Ghanaians for granted, proposes another vigil
1 hour -
GFA appoints Zito, Preko and Amadu to take charge of newly created male national teams
1 hour -
Government committed to enhancing the condition of roads in Kumasi – Asenso-Boakye
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
2 hours -
Siblings remanded over alleged missing penis
2 hours -
174 countries to gather in Ottawa for pivotal talks on plastic pollution
2 hours -
6 tiny tricks that make you immune to disappointment
2 hours -
Dumsor: Energy sector needs a leader, says Nana Amoasi VII
2 hours -
Reality zone with Vicky Wireko: Ending malaria: Optimism as world marks Malaria Day
2 hours -
Frema Opare supports Asanteman queen mothers with GH¢200k donation
6 hours