Video Release: FMG's failed attempt to bully the Yindjibarndi people
Friday, April 8, 2011
The original posting of "FMG's Great Native Title Swindle" has been censored from Vimeo due to legal threats from FMG. It received 12,900 views in 9 days.
This was brought to our attention a couple of days ago. Unbelievable footage of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG, an Australian iron ore mining giant) trying to pressure the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal people into agreeing to allow the miners full rights to destroy their beautiful part of the Pilbara (in Western Australia) for the next century. What makes this worse is that the Yindjibarndi claim FMG brought (paid) Aboriginal people from another part of the Pilbara to help support their motives...something they obviously didn't appreciate.
FMG has reportedly offered a $10 million a year package to the Yindjibarndi, including $4 million in cash and $6 million in employment and training packages. However, the Yindjibarndi believe this is unfair compensation, and are pushing for a 0.5% royalty from the mine, equating to $40 - 50 million a year, based on similar agreements with other mining companies in the region, such as Rio Tinto.
But at the end of the day, there will be no royalties for the real losers of the deal... the Northern Quolls, Ghost Bats and Pilbara Olive Pythons.
1 comments:
Thanks for putting up this post. I did the same because I would like everyone in the world to see this video. Good on the Yindjibarndi people for filming and uploading this meeting for all to see!
In Western Australian law, native title holders have no choice but to accept mining leases once they have been granted by the government. The only power they have is to negotiate a decent deal. Negotiation costs money. The claimants are often 'helped out' financially by the very mining companies they are negotiating with, in order to seal the deal.
FMG have been in Roebourne for a while now, paying a splinter group, causing deep divisions within the community. It is truly disgraceful behaviour, and tacitly supported by the state government.
So thanks again. The more publicity that the Yindjibarnis get for their fight, the better.
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