Indigenous Australians win record A$150m after billionaire mined without permission
An Australian court ordered a company owned by a billionaire to pay A$150 million (about US$100 million) to an Indigenous group after operating mining without permission. The award is among the highest ever made to Indigenous Australians on land-rights grounds. Legal experts say it could set precedent in future mining disputes.
Australia's federal court ordered a company owned by a billionaire to pay A$150 million to an Indigenous group after finding that it conducted mining without the required permissions. The ruling concluded that the company had violated the group's land rights and caused lasting damage to local ecosystems.
The award stands among the largest paid to Indigenous Australians in a land-rights case. The community said it would direct a significant share of the payment to cultural heritage protection and education programmes.
Industry bodies said the ruling will sharpen compliance and consultation requirements for mining permits in future. The federal government called the verdict a meaningful step in the country's reconciliation process with First Nations communities. A company spokesperson said it was reviewing its appeal options.
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