Juukan Gorge inquiry: Rio Tinto's decision to blow up Indigenous rock shelters 'inexcusable'

Parliament committee says miner must negotiate a compensation deal with traditional owners and ensure a full reconstruction' of the caves

A parliamentary inquiry into the destruction of 46,000-year-old caves has delivered a scathing report criticising the actions of Rio Tinto and calling for the Western Australian government to put a stop to the destruction of heritage until new laws are passed.

The majority bipartisan interim report said Rio Tinto's decision to destroy two rock shelters in Juukan Gorge, against the wishes of the traditional owners and despite knowing the archeological value of the site, was inexcusable".