Mining company that operates next to Indigenous-owned station that was targeted by racist signs fined $40,000

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A mining company that operates next to an Indigenous-owned station targeted by racist, pro-mining signs has been fined $40,000 for breaching mining conditions.

Melbourne-based Hawthorn Resources was ordered to pay the fine last month after being cautioned by the Western Australian government to control dust levels at the Anglo Saxon/Trouser Legs goldmine, about 145km north-east of Kalgoorlie.

The mine is within a few hundred metres of Pinjin station, which is run by Wongatha elders and traditional owners Leo and Lawrence Thomas.

Police investigate racist signs on Aboriginal land in Western Australia Read more

The Thomas brothers have been complaining about excessive dust at the site since 2015, and have also alleged a number of other breaches of mining conditions including clogging existing waterways, failing to clean rubbish on the site and failing to cap drill holes.

In June racist signs saying “Black nigars holding up mine” were placed around the Pinjin community, prompting a police investigation. Hawthorn Resources said neither it nor its employees were responsible.

That incident and other complaints are subject to a parliamentary inquiry.

The WA government told parliament that the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) recommended a fine in lieu of asking the company to forfeit its mining tenement.

“Section 97 of the Mining Act 1978 permits the minister to impose a penalty of up to $150,000 on a company for a breach of tenement condition,” Labor MP Darren West said, in response to a question from One Nation MP Robin Scott.

The question was directed at Bill Johnston but answered on his behalf by West in the legislative council.

“Based on the information provided to the minister by DMIRS, which included factors that led to the breach, the minister chose to impose a penalty of $40,000,” West said.

The company has also been fined $388.18 for paying royalties one day late.

The state’s resources minister, Alannah MacTiernan, told parliament in August the department had written to Hawthorn resources three times in the previous 12 months.

Two of those letters referred to the amount of dust being created, which is regulated under condition 21 of the mining licence.

MacTiernan said the company had no outstanding royalty debt as of August this year.

Hawthorn Resources has been contacted for comment.