The state is reforming laws to protect the heritage of Aboriginal Australians after global miner Rio Tinto Ltd legally destroyed rock shelters for an iron ore mine last year.

The Independent Planning Commision declined to grant planning permission to Hume Coal for the project, citing the potential impact to groundwater stores.

Drilling from the underground exploration drive hit this new mineralization downplunge from the Swan zone.

BHP is the first big resources company to consider such a step.

Company is planning to unveil targets for reducing the carbon footprint of it biggest customers, marking a shift in approach for the world’s no. 4 exporter of iron-ore.

Fitch forecasts global iron ore mine output growth will average 3.6% over the 2021 to 2025 period.