Juukan Gorge owners slam Rio Tinto chairman over exec changes – The Australian

The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people have accused Rio Tinto Chairman Simon Thompson of reneging on the mining giant's commitment to repair ties, saying recent personnel changes may impact the reconciliation process between the two parties, The Australian reported Feb. 3, citing a letter from acting PKKP ­Aboriginal Corp. CEO Grant Wilson.

The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people, or PKKP, are the traditional owners of the Juukan Gorge caves in Western Australia that Rio Tinto destroyed in 2020 during a mine expansion. The controversy led to an exodus of the mining company's top executives in September 2020 and a recent shuffle of the executive team.

Changes in late January included the transfer of interim iron ore CEO Ivan Vella to Canada, where he will lead the company's aluminum business starting in March. Thompson had assured the PKKP at a November 2020 meeting that Vella would lead Rio Tinto's rebuilding efforts, according to the report.

The traditional land owners said frequent leadership changes at Rio Tinto have made it difficult to build robust relationships with the company. The PKKP reportedly learned about the company's latest move through the media, and Thompson has not been in contact. Vella personally contacted the PKKP and reassured the group that the company is still determined to mend ties, according to the report.

"PKKP has shown nothing but good faith, making real and meaningful efforts to repair our relationship, while every action by Rio Tinto to date, including the latest announcement under your leadership, rings hollow," Wilson wrote in the letter.

"Many PKKP members and other stakeholders will perceive a continuation, under the new executive team, of Rio's 'business as usual' that led to the Juukan Gorge tragedy — that Aboriginal stakeholders deserve no consideration or inclusion and should not get in the way of doing business."

A Rio Tinto spokesperson told The Australian that the company remains committed to reconciling with the PKKP.

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