the Australian-British mining group Rio Tinto at the end of may destroyed two sacred caves of the Australian aborigines, numbering 46 thousand years. It happened in the gorge Juukan in the region of Pilbara, Western Australia. June 18, the Australian Senate announced that it would begin the investigation of all circumstances of the incident, according to Reuters.
the decision was made after a series of indignant speeches. It became known that the authorities of the state of Western Australia gave permission for the destruction of the caves back in 2013, so Rio Tinto has not violated the law and, therefore, not subject to fine of $ 1 million for destruction of the heritage of their ancestors.
the caves in the gorge Juukan was only found on the continent evidence of human habitation during the last glacial period. In the caves, the archaeologists found the sacred items of the aborigines and various cultural artifacts.
General Director of the group Jean-Sebastien Jacques has already apologized and said he would fully support the investigation.
As it became known, the aboriginal tribes of Puutu Kunti Kurama and Pintura asked the authorities not to destroy the legacy of their ancestors, but their voices were not heard.
