The Federal Court has ordered Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue to pay the Yindjibarndi people $150.1 million.

It is the biggest native title compensation payout in Australian history.

But for Yindjibarndi leaders, the judgment is complicated. The payout is historic, but it is far below the $1.8 billion they were seeking.

The case goes back more than two decades – to Fortescue’s Solomon Hub mines in the Pilbara, which were built on Yindjibarndi land without the agreement of the traditional owners.

And the payout includes only about $100,000 for economic loss, despite Fortescue making billions from the mines.

Journalist Ben Abbatangelo tells the story of Michael Woodley – the Yindjibarndi lawman who took on Andrew Forrest – and asks: what is the true cost of mining someone else’s Country?

This episode was originally published in May 2024.

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Guest: Ben Abbatangelo

Photo: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright