Juukan Gorge: The Blast That Shook Australia’s Conscience
In May 2020, the world watched in disbelief as news that Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining corporations, had destroyed the Juukan Gorge caves in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
These caves were not just ancient rock shelters; they were a repository of Indigenous history, culture, and heritage that spanned over 46,000 years. The deliberate act of blasting them away exposed the gaps in Australian laws meant to protect such invaluable sites, sparking national and global outrage.
This feature unpacks the events that led to this cultural tragedy, the laws that allowed it, the significance of Juukan Gorge, and the repercussions that continue to ripple through the mining industry, politics, and Indigenous communities.
What Happened?
The Juukan Gorge rock shelters were located on land traditionally owned by the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) peoples. These caves were among the oldest known examples of continuous human occupation in Australia, containing artifacts such as grinding stones, a 28,000-year-old tool made from kangaroo bone, and a 4,000-year-old plaited hair belt that carried the DNA of the PKKP’s ancestors.
In 2013, Rio Tinto obtained Section 18 approval under Western Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 to conduct mining operations in the area.
The Act allowed companies to apply for consent to destroy heritage sites if it was deemed necessary for development. Despite Rio Tinto’s legal clearance, the PKKP repeatedly expressed concerns about the caves.
A 2014 archaeological report further underscored the site’s profound cultural and historical importance, but the company’s plans proceeded unaltered.
On May 24, 2020, explosives detonated at Juukan Gorge reduced the sacred caves to rubble, making way for an expansion of the Brockman 4 iron ore mine. The destruction was irreversible, and the backlash was swift.
Legal Loopholes and Failures
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, under which Rio Tinto received approval, was heavily criticized for being outdated and skewed in favor of development. Once Section 18 consent was granted, it could not be revoked, even if new information about the site’s significance emerged.
This rigidity left Indigenous custodians with no legal recourse to prevent the destruction of Juukan Gorge, despite the site’s proven archaeological and cultural value.
Furthermore, Western Australia’s laws at the time prioritized economic interests, often sidelining Indigenous voices in decision-making processes. Consultation requirements were minimal, and the final authority rested with government ministers rather than Indigenous custodians.
Juukan Gorge Anniversary Sparks Unified Call for Cultural Heritage Reform
24 May 2025 – On the fifth anniversary of the Juukan Gorge destruction, a remarkable collaboration has emerged between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and the Australian mining industry. Together, they are calling on the Federal Government to act decisively on cultural heritage law reform to prevent such a disaster from ever happening again.
The destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters on 24 May 2020, while legal under existing legislation, shocked the nation and the world. Multiple inquiries since have found Australia’s cultural heritage laws to be inadequate, with the current framework failing to safeguard sacred sites or uphold the rights of Traditional Owners.
Although initial government responses were promising, including co-design efforts with Indigenous communities, tangible legal reform has yet to materialize.
In a historic show of unity, the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) have developed shared principles to guide the Albanese Government in creating lasting protections. This cooperation has already improved agreement-making practices and focused attention on achieving localised outcomes that benefit host communities. However, both parties agree that legislative change is long overdue.
Leon Yeatman, Co-Chair of the Alliance and a Gunggandji leader, stressed that the mining industry and Traditional Owners “have done the hard work to find common ground,” and that it is now up to the Government to follow through. “We may not agree on everything,” he said, “but on this, we agree—it is time to act.” The proposed changes would recognize cultural authority and streamline engagement processes, helping to protect sacred sites while also offering certainty for industry.
MCA CEO Tania Constable echoed the urgency, describing this as “a coming together moment” and a unique opportunity for healing. The MCA and the Alliance see this as a once-in-a-generation chance for reform that balances economic development with the enduring cultural significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation, whose sacred site was destroyed, reaffirmed the trauma their community continues to endure. They emphasized their ongoing efforts to establish co-management agreements and take control of heritage protection on PKKP Country—steps they describe as compensating for the failures of current legislation.
As the nation reflects on the irreversible loss at Juukan Gorge, this alliance offers a hopeful path forward—one grounded in respect, shared purpose, and the urgent need for legislative action.
The Significance of Juukan Gorge
Juukan Gorge was more than a collection of ancient artifacts. It was an enduring connection to the ingenuity and heritage of Australia’s First Peoples. The caves bore evidence of continuous habitation through tens of millennia, including during the last Ice Age.
For the PKKP, the site was a direct connection to their ancestors, a sacred space imbued with spiritual and cultural meaning.
Artifacts retrieved from Juukan Gorge had reshaped understandings of human history in Australia and the broader region. The DNA evidence found in the hair belt, for example, had confirmed the deep, unbroken lineage of the PKKP people, underscoring the cultural and historical significance of the site.
The Fallout
The destruction of Juukan Gorge ignited a firestorm of condemnation. Rio Tinto’s initial response—expressing regret but defending their legal right to blast the caves—only intensified public outrage. Shareholders, politicians, and the general public demanded accountability.
Within months, Rio Tinto’s CEO Jean-Sébastien Jacques, along with two other senior executives, resigned under immense pressure.
The Australian Parliament launched an inquiry into the incident, delivering a scathing report in 2021. It recommended sweeping changes to heritage laws, stronger protections for Indigenous sites, and increased involvement of traditional owners in decision-making.
The inquiry’s findings highlighted systemic failures and underscored the need for companies like Rio Tinto to rebuild trust with Indigenous communities.
A Catalyst for Change?
In response to the scandal, Western Australia introduced a new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act in 2021. The updated legislation aimed to provide greater protection for cultural sites, requiring meaningful consultation with traditional owners and giving them more power to influence decisions about their heritage.
However, critics argued that the reforms still fell short of guaranteeing robust protections.
For Rio Tinto, the Juukan Gorge incident has become a defining moment in its corporate history. The company has since pledged to rebuild relationships with Indigenous communities and overhaul its internal practices. While these promises signal a shift, many remain skeptical about the sincerity and effectiveness of such measures.
A Broader Reckoning
The destruction of Juukan Gorge serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between economic development and cultural preservation. It has prompted a broader reckoning in Australia about the value of Indigenous heritage and the responsibilities of corporations operating on sacred lands.
For the PKKP and other Indigenous groups, the loss of Juukan Gorge is irreparable. Yet, it has also galvanized efforts to protect what remains.
As one PKKP elder poignantly stated, “Juukan was our history, our ancestors. It’s gone now, but we’ll fight to make sure this never happens again.”
On 28 June 2023 PKKP Aboriginal Corporation wrote an open letter to Rio Tinto employees:
“Our Corporation is not against mining on our lands but it needs to be done respectfully and fairly. Co-Management should apply to every aspect of a mine life cycle from the planning to the closure and rehabilitation. Take planning for example, we want to sit down with you and right from the beginning, help identify the tenements or reserves that can be developed early, those that need more consideration and those that are culturally precious to us and cannot be mined.”
Conclusion
The Juukan Gorge disaster is not just a story of destruction but also one of resilience and the push for systemic change. It highlights the urgent need for stronger heritage protections, genuine corporate accountability, and greater respect for Indigenous voices in decision-making processes.
As Australia grapples with the legacy of this tragedy, Juukan Gorge stands as a symbol of what is at stake—a cultural heritage that belongs not only to the custodians of the land but to humanity as a whole.
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