Response to the ABC's questions regarding activities at the unauthorised protest camp on our mining lease

Please find below a response to questions from the ABC attributable to a Bravus Mining and Resources spokesperson:

“The overwhelming majority of Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) people support the Carmichael mine and we’re proud of the lasting benefits our collaborative partnerships with Traditional Owner groups are delivering for First Australians who want to build a more prosperous future for them and their mob.

“It’s disappointing that some media outlets choose to disregard the wishes and right to self-determination of the W&J majority group in favour of giving prominence to one dissenting person because that person has a larger social media following and videographers, web designers, content writers and other publicist support from the anti-fossil fuel lobby to amplify his voice.

“The unauthorised protest camp on our mining lease was organised and bankrolled by the anti-fossil fuel lobby. Many of the occupants of the protest camp are not Traditional Owners of the local area and the camp has been used for activities that are not cultural practises.

“Instead, the protest camp is used as the centrepiece of a public relations campaign that is dishonest, deceptive, and marginalises the Cultural Authority of the W&J people who voted 294 to 1 in favour of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement for the mine to protect their rights and their cultural heritage.

“The unauthorised protest camp on our mining lease is a clear breach of the relevant Queensland mining legislation. The anti-coal activists in the camp are about a kilometre from our open cut mine and its heavy mobile equipment. They are not trained, they are not in radio contact with our crews, or wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and that means it’s necessary for us to monitor their movements to reduce the risk that they put themselves or our people in harm’s way.”

ENDS