Mining magnate loses private land to joint venture
BILLIONAIRE Andrew Forrest has lost a bid to stop a mineral sands joint venture from mining on his family’s Pilbara-based cattle station, after nearly three years of dispute. Perth-based explorer Onslow Resources and project partners Yarri Mining and Quarry Park were granted conditional approval to mine the Ashburton River bed, 100km south of Newman, in late January. Mr Forrest, founder of iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group, had argued against the approval, stating the development would damage the Ashburton River environment and surrounds, and would prevent him from effectively using the land at his privately owned pastoral property, Minderoo. According to The Guardian, Mr Forrest’s submission to the WA Warden’s Court stated the mining operation would “sterilise and degrade the...
