Dotted around the vast arid harshness of outback South Australia are thousands of small springs fed by ancient waters from the Great Artesian Basin.
Rio Tinto’s blasting at Juukan Gorge drew widespread public criticism, prompted the resignation of its chief executive and put a spotlight on state and federal laws that are meant to balance the protection of Indigenous heritage against the commercial interests of miners. Under the 1982 Roxby Downs Indenture Act, the original Olympic Dam owner Western Mining and present owner BHP are afforded special privileges that trump Aboriginal heritage laws and almost all other state laws and regulations.
The Arabana people have asked their Adelaide lawyer, Stephen Kenny, to advise them if the Commonwealth can get involved. Mr Kenny has said the Commonwealth could act to protect the springs, but previous cases such as that involving South Australia's Hindmarsh Island suggested it would not.The Sydney Morning Herald
This would be a direct result of indiscriminate mining
What is there to wonder about? BHP pump millions of litres of bore water from the water table for their ore pumping processes.
there are no cares in Australia. The environmental act is still dated as of 1978. Aboriginal title is not honored. GOV takes bribes by everyone to do what they want. Makes 3rd world countries look well off. In response to this.. BHP will probably frack right under the springs.
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