Adani Group Coal Unit Faces Racism And Human Rights Allegations In Australia

Adani Group, already under scrutiny after US prosecutors indicted its chairman Gautam Adani for fraud, is now facing new set of accusations of racism linked to its Australian coal operations. An Aboriginal group in Queensland, the Nagana Yarrbayn Wangan & Jagalingou Cultural Custodians, filed a formal complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission, alleging racial discrimination by Adani’s coal subsidiary, Bravus Mining and Resources.

The complaint, submitted earlier this week, accuses Adani employees of attempting to block Aboriginal group members from accessing sacred springs near the Carmichael coal mine. The group claims this interference prevented them from performing cultural rites and sharing cultural knowledge.

Adrian Burragubba, Senior Cultural Custodian for the Nagana Yarrbayn, expressed frustration in a statement: “We have endured years of discrimination and vilification from Adani, and we’re not putting up with this anymore.” Burragubba emphasized that legal action was now the only path forward after Adani ignored previous concerns raised by their lawyers.

In response, a Bravus spokesperson denied the allegations, labeling the complaint an attempt to prevent the company from sharing its perspective. The spokesperson also highlighted that the mine has operated in compliance with local laws and in partnership with the majority of the Traditional Owner group, under formal agreements. The company added it had not received any notification from the Australian Human Rights Commission about the complaint.

The Aboriginal group is seeking compensation, a public apology, the removal of certain social media content, a retraction of media statements, and mandatory anti-racism training for Adani’s leadership.

The Carmichael mine, which has been a contentious project, faced opposition from climate activists and some Aboriginal groups for years before it began operations in December 2021. The new accusations come at a time when Adani Group companies’ shares have continued to fall, following the fraud and bribery charges filed against the company’s chairman, Gautam Adani, in the US earlier this week.