Mining CEO quits after destruction of ancient caves





 

The CEO of one of the world's largest mining companies, Rio Tinto, has resigned following the destruction of two sacred Aboriginal sites. However, it will not be a speedy exit. The CEO has until March to empty his desk and head for the door. He handed in his notice after the furor created by the demolition of 46,000-year-old caves in the Juukan Gorge in Western Australia. The company was mining for high-grade iron ore.

The CEO acknowledged there was no doubt the company could have made "better decisions". The ancient caves are sacred to Australia's indigenous Aboriginal communities. There is evidence to show they were used as dwellings as far back as the Old Stone Age, when humans were developing stone tools.

The blasts at the caves led to international condemnation and adversely affected Rio Tinto's reputation worldwide. The blasting took place against the wishes of the traditional owners of the site, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people. They accused the mining giant of a blatant disregard of their culture and traditions, purely in a quest for greater profits.

They said: "We cannot and will not allow this type of devastation to occur ever again." The Rio Tinto chair offered an apology. He said: "What happened at Juukan was wrong and we are determined to ensure that the destruction of a heritage site of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance never occurs again at a Rio Tinto operation."

Source : Breaking News English

Comprehension

How many sacred sites were destroyed?
By when does the CEO have to leave the company?
How old were the caves that were destroyed?
What was the company mining?
What does evidence show the caves were used as?
What did the destruction of the caves do to the company's image?
What did the traditional owners accuse the company of wanting?
What did the owners say they would never allow again?
What did the chair of the company offer?
Where did the chair say such destruction would never occur again?

Discussion

What do you think about what you read?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'mining'?
What do you know about mining?
Do mining companies care about the environment?
Do mining companies have the right to take things from the earth?
What do you think about mining?
Would you condemn the mining company?
What do we need mining companies for?
Should the wishes of the Aboriginal communities be respected?
Is it immoral to put profits over the destruction of ancient sites?
How confident are you the company will mine responsibly from now?

Vocabulary

Aboriginal - inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists; indigenous.
furor - an outbreak of public anger or excitement.
indigenous - originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
blatant - (of bad behavior) done openly and unashamedly.
quest - a long or arduous search for something.