Aboriginal group calls for Sandfire CEO to step down after heritage damage (updated)

Sandfire Resources America

04/12/2023 06:12

(Adds details on Yugunga-Nya in paragraph 7,  Sandfire share
price move in paragraph 8)
    By Melanie Burton
       MELBOURNE, Dec 4 (Reuters) - An Aboriginal group on
Monday called for the chief executive of Sandfire  SFR.AX  to
step down for the miner's failure to address heritage damage at
a copper mine in Western Australia.
    Sandfire said last week it had discovered damage to an
artefact scatter at its Monty copper mine that had occurred over
2017 and 2018, and that it had informed traditional owners and
the state's heritage regulator.  
    The Yugunga-Nya group said Sandfire had waited a year to
tell them about the damage, and called for a government inquiry.
State premier Roger Cook supported their demands, and on Monday
called Sandfire's actions "egregious", local press reported.
    Investors are closely watching Australia's management of
Aboriginal heritage after Rio Tinto  RIO.AX  destroyed
historically significant rock shelters in 2020.
    Western Australia, which had beefed up its heritage
protection in response to the incident, agreed to roll back
those protections back earlier this year, in response to an
outcry from farmers.
    In a statement, the Yugunga-Nya called on the board of
Sandfire Board to remove CEO Brendan Harris and asked board
chairperson John Richards to "take control of the situation and
engage openly and meaningfully with the Yugunga-Nya". 
    "If something of value is destroyed compensation should be
paid. Sandfire's actions show they don't value our heritage,"
said elder Andrew Gentle Snr in a statement, adding that
Sandfire had declined to offer compensation. The company has
agreed to an independent audit of the group's heritage. 
    Sandfire did not immediately respond to a request for
comment. Shares closed up 2.6% amid gains in the broader
resource sector.       
    Last week, the company said its internal investigation was
"significantly complicated" by staff departures after the mine,
which has been exhausted, was placed on care and maintenance,
and that it was in discussions with its board and the
Yugunga-Nya. 

 (Reporting by Melanie Burton; editing by Miral Fahmy)
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