In the process of building a gravel track between its existing quarry at Moranbah and a sand extraction quarry nearby, MCG Quarries moved between 30 to 35 significant Aboriginal artifacts, reported the Brisbane Times.
The artifacts ? which were mostly stone items ? were disturbed between 26 June, 2009 and 25 August, 2010.
The company was fined with one count of failing to comply with its cultural heritage duty of care under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, which came with an $80,000 fine.
The company was also obliged to pay over $2000 in legal costs, reported Mining Australia.
According to Queensland Natural Resources Minister Rachel Nolan, the company didn?t take ?reasonable or practical measures? to protect Indigenous cultural heritage in its activities. The minister told AAP that MCG Quarries didn?t undertake a survey to find the location or extent of artifacts, did not consult with local cultural heritage staff or the local indigenous community and did not have an approved cultural heritage management plan in place.
“Moranbah Quarry is of high cultural significance to the local indigenous community and these artifacts represent a spiritual connection to the land,” she said.
MCG Quarries had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Sources: AAP, Brisbane Times, Mining Australia, Courier Mail