In Australia, Jean-Sébastien Jacques, CEO of mining giant Rio Tinto, resigns after deciding to blow up some valuable Aboriginal caves a few months ago.
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Jacques has been criticized since May for blowing up two ancient caves in Pilbara, in western Australia. Rio Tinto, an iron ore miner under his rule, was previously warned by traditional Aboriginal leaders who pointed out to the company the importance of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters. The cave complex is considered one of Australia’s most important archaeological sites and has been inhabited for 46,000 years. For example, artifacts such as a 28,000-year-old tool and a 4,000-year-old belt made from human hair have been found. The problem? The entire site rested on an 8 million ton stock of iron ore with a market value of around £ 75 million.
Photo: AP
MEA culpa
Earlier this year, after fierce criticism, the company itself conducted an investigation into what exactly happened on the site. “What happened in Juukan was wrong and we assure ourselves that the destruction of a site of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance will never happen again during a Rio Tinto operation,” said Chairman Simon Thompson. Despite the public plea, many critics pointed out that the company was well aware of the high archaeological and cultural value of the caves.
After Jacques bonus of 2.7 million pounds had already been withdrawn, he is now also resigning. He will stay on until March. In any case, the company should no longer count on much understanding. Several organizations have already called Rio Tinto’s response “slow and misleading.”
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