Fortescue (ASX:FMG) is in the spotlight this week as the company faces a renewed legal battle over a $150.3 million native title compensation payout, just days after suspending an executive in relation to sexual harassment claims.
The Western Australian Government has appealed the Federal Court’s decision finding Fortescue liable for $150 million in cultural losses and $150,000 in economic losses, plus interest.
The Australian Government delivered its decision regarding the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation’s (YNAC) Native Title Compensation Claim in May this year, as reported by Mining.com.au.
The Yindjibarndi people filed a native title claim over land in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in 2003.
The court granted the Yindjibarndi people exclusive rights to possession, occupation, use, and enjoyment of parts of the land in 2017, as well as non-exclusive native title rights and interests over the remainder of the determination area.
Attorney General Tony Buti says the state government chose to appeal the Federal Court’s decision after YNAC also decided to appeal the same judgment.
“The WA Government acknowledges the impact of mining on Country and supports Yindjibarndi receiving proper compensation from mining proponents for these activities,” Buti says.
“Western Australia has led the country in native title determinations, with many determinations reached by agreement.
“Native title compensation is a complex and emerging area, and it is important that we have clarity on the law to support future negotiations and native title settlements across the state.
“The WA Government is committed to maintaining respectful and constructive engagement with YNAC as the proceedings continue, as has been the case for the previous four years.
“This includes our existing and significant partnerships with the Yindjibarndi people, such as through negotiations to support Yindjibarndi Water’s acquisition of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant.
“As this is a matter which is currently before the court, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of the case at this time.”
Earlier this week, Mining.com.au reported that Fortescue had temporarily suspended an executive who is under investigation over allegations of sexual harassment and bullying.
This follows the company defending its decision to allow the unnamed executive to continue working while independent investigations are underway.
Fortescue is a major global iron ore producer and the world’s fourth-largest iron ore miner, with operations heavily based in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The company delivers more than $45 billion in dividends and moves nearly 200 million tonnes of iron ore each year at the Pilbara operations.
Impact of mining in Western Australia
Western Australia is home to many large-scale mining operations, operated by mining giants such as BHP Group (ASX:BHP), Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), and Newmont (ASX:NEM).
The state alone produces 98% of the country’s iron ore resources, according to the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
But aside from iron ore, Western Australia is rich in numerous natural resources.
Tempest Minerals’ (ASX:TEM) Five Wheels Project is located in Western Australia’s Earaheedy Basin, spanning 266km2 and prospective for gold, copper, lead, and zinc.
Five Wheels is located 36km north of Rumble Resources’ (ASX:RTR) Chinook deposit, with the project’s mineralisation said to be geologically similar to Rumble’s zinc-lead-copper discoveries.
Tempest also owns the Yalgoo and Mount Magnet projects in Western Australia. Yalgoo is targeting iron ore, while Mount Magnet targets gold and precious metals.
Meanwhile, Legend Mining (ASX:LEG) is targeting gold mineralisation at the Pinnacle Well Project in Western Australia’s Northern Goldfields.
Pinnacle Well comprises four exploration licences across 128km2. The project is wholly owned by Legend, after its acquisition in 2025, and is located 25km north-northeast of Leonora.
Last month, the company completed its first heritage survey at the project, as reported.
Mt Malcolm Mines’ (ASX:M2M) namesake project is also located near Leonora.
Mt Malcolm assembled a tenement package spanning 274km2, prospective for gold and surrounding the Malcolm Mining Centre in the Central Eastern Goldfields.
As reported by Mining.com.au, Mt Malcolm is preparing a 2,000–2,500m reverse circulation drilling program at the Golden Crown prospect, covering around 25 drill holes.
Golden Crown hosts a JORC-compliant resource estimate of 95,700 tonnes @ 1.50 grams per tonne gold (Au) for 4,600 ounces, comprising 80,800 tonnes @ 1.47g/t Au indicated and 14,900 tonnes @ 1.68g/t Au inferred.
Evergold Minerals (ASX:EG1) has centred its gold portfolio around Western Australia’s Central and Eastern Goldfields.
The company’s exploration portfolio includes the Mt Monger Gold and the Bynoe projects, led by its Leonora Gold Project, which the company acquired in May 2025.
The Leonora Gold Project is located just 8km from the 4.2-million-ounce King of the Hills processing facility, which is now operated by Vault Minerals (ASX:VAU).
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Fortescue & Legend Mining
