Fortescue shareholders call for cultural heritage protection - Mining Software - Technical Assurance, Resource & Mineral Governance - Enterprise SaaS
Fortescue shareholders call for cultural heritage protection

Fortescue shareholders call for cultural heritage protection

In this article:

 
“Fortescue Metals Group shareholders have requested the company to amend its cultural heritage protection ahead of the annual general meeting next month.
The two proposals were made in the form of a resolution notice, which was received after the cut off date for the annual general meeting. The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) said the documents were late due to a Covid-related courier delay but electronic copies had already been filed. The centre’s Brynn O’Brien said Fortescue had knocked back an important resolution “on a minor technicality”. “The resolutions will not be considered at the AGM,” the company stated in an ASX release. However, Fortescue will assess the validity of the shareholder notice, and will put the notice to consideration at the next general meeting after the AGM. Company shareholders suggested three steps to improve Fortescue’s heritage protection These include:
  • the adoption of a moratorium on undertaking activities which impact cultural heritage sites in Australia
  • a commitment to non-enforcement of any relevant contractual or other provisions that prevent Traditional Owners to speak publicly about cultural heritage concerns
  • announce expectations in relation to lobbying on cultural heritage issues by industry associations the company is a member of.
Fortescue is a major employer of Aboriginal people, who represent 10 per cent of its Australian workforce and 14 per cent of its Pilbara-based workforce.
“Fortescue has worked collaboratively and constructively with Traditional Custodians to avoid and protect nearly 6,000 Aboriginal heritage places. The company acts with transparency and in good faith at all times,” the company said in a statement regarding its approach to heritage management.
“Fortescue does not have heritage ‘gag order’ clauses in its agreements and Aboriginal groups are free and open to disagree and publicly voice their concerns. “Fortescue supports the modernisation of the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act, and has called for an increased voice for Aboriginal people in the process and equitable right of appeal to all parties in the heritage process.” Fortescue said a moratorium is not supported by the company as it would “disempower local Aboriginal people in the Pilbara and limit the positive contribution the mining industry is making to the state and national economies, at a time when it is needed most”.

See what score you get for your Rehabilitation and Closure program

BHP shareholders have also proposed amendments to BHP’s constitution to insert a new clause. BHP said such resolutions by shareholders would be advisory only and did not bind the directors or the company.  

How to drive progressive rehabilitation and closure

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=340Weed-sww[/embedyt]   Originally published by Australian Mining.


Decipher’s Rehabilitation & Closure Solution

rehabilitation compliance software mine rehabilitation software environmental obligations software land rehabilitation software environmental management software environmental data management software environmental monitoring software environmental compliance software - DecipherGreen Armed with Decipher’s Rehabilitation & Closure solution, including GIS, remote sensing, monitoring and management tools means you can easily capture and analyse a wide range of environmental monitoring data, manage risks and issues around put backfilling, rapid flooding, slope instability and acid generation, and ensure you’re meeting your environmental obligations and compliance with alerts and notifications of exceedances.

Learn more button

     
Want to find out more about mine rehabilitation?
  Don’t miss another update!
Related Posts