Ancient Site Recognised Amid Mining Concerns
The Aboriginal representatives of Australia obtained the international acknowledgments of the Murujuga sacred site, as UNESCO included the sacred site to the list of the world Heritage sites officially on Friday. Murujuga has an estimated one million petroglyphs, in the Burrup Peninsula, Southern Coast Region of Western Australia. There are carvings that are assumed to be more than 50,000 years old.
The Aboriginal delegation had flown into Paris earlier this week to get the support of the cultural organization of the UN. The campaign was to keep the rock art safe in case it was threatened by mining activities near the area that had rich resources like Pilbara.
Murujuga Rock Art recognised as a heritage site by UNESCO
Cultural Significance Recognised Globally
The Mardudunera people inhabit Murujuga and this area is regarded as one of the oldest and most important sites of rock art on this planet. According to University of Western Australia professor Benjamin Smith said, it is maybe the most significant rock art place in the world.
The news was welcomed by the delegation leader, Raelene Cooper. I am proud that today is a momentous day for our old people and our future generations, when we achieve the Murujuga outstanding universal heritage values being recognised by the world, she added. Cooper further said that the group was ecstatic over the ruling.
Petroglyphs Under Environmental Pressure
Aboriginal leaders and environmental activists had alerted that the activity of mining interferes with the conservation of the petroglyphs in the area. We have these carvings to learn and preserve the knowledge of these ancestors who left to us and have our culture alive through these sacred locations as stated by Mark Clifton, a representative of the delegation.
Woodside Energy is located in the Burrup Peninsula where its North West Shelf gas project is one of the five largest greenhouse gas emitter in Australia. The Clean Energy Regulator revealed that the facility produces millions of tonnes of CO2 per year.
According to environmental scientists, visible impairments have been brought by emissions. They are making hundreds of holes in the surface. And that is breaking down the surfaces that contain the rock art work,” said Smith.
UNESCO Decision Prompts Calls for Safeguards
The listing does not automatically grant protection but often increases political pressure. “It’s absolutely crucial that the Australian government takes it more seriously and regulates industrial pollution in that area more carefully,” said Smith.
Cooper stressed the need for stronger action. “There needs to be, at the highest level, safeguards and measures of protection,” she said.
Cooper added that the listing “sends a clear signal to the Australian Government and Woodside that things need to change”. She said “global scrutiny will now be applied to what is happening at Murujuga”.
Also Read: Understanding Blockchain Mining: Beyond Bitcoin with Riot Blockchain
Government Response and Industrial Pushback
Australia sent a separate delegation to Paris to support the heritage listing. The group included Aboriginal community members. Environment Minister Murray Watt said the decision was “a meaningful opportunity to support the protection and conservation of some of the world’s most important cultural and natural sites”.
Woodside Energy responded to the concerns in a statement. It said it recognises Murujuga as “one of Australia’s most culturally significant landscapes”. The company claimed that “responsible operations” based on peer-reviewed studies could help protect the area.
Woodside also stated it had taken “proactive steps to ensure we manage our impacts responsibly”.
Mining Licence Extension Raises Concerns
In May, the federal government extended the gas plant’s licence by 40 years. The move came despite environmental warnings and Aboriginal community objections. Officials argued that the extension aligns with the country’s net zero target by 2050.
However, Icomos, a UNESCO advisory body, said urgent action is needed. The group urged “the complete elimination of harmful acidic emissions that currently affect the petroglyphs”.
Community Vows to Maintain Pressure
Despite the win, the Aboriginal delegation stressed that their campaign will continue. “The community would continue fighting for the site’s protection,” Cooper said.
The Murujuga site is now expected to attract international attention. Its new status may also boost funding and tourism opportunities, potentially supporting preservation efforts.
Australia’s World Heritage presence has now expanded with Murujuga’s inclusion, highlighting the country’s deep cultural and natural heritage. The listing concludes a significant week in Paris for the Aboriginal community and their campaign to preserve sacred land.
