“We want to keep the land and rockholes, the way it is. For the importance of our
family and our culture”
Marcina Coleman Richards, Senior Kokatha Mula woman.


It has been six days now since traditional owners hindered exploration activity in the states far west.
Yumbarra Conservation Park North West of Ceduna has hosted a David and Goliath style battle since last Friday when mining giant Iluka Resources was requested to stop road clearing in the park. The access road has since been blockaded by a camp of Kokatha Mula people and their supporters. Joined by a solidarity action at Iluka Resources head office in Perth this afternoon.

Today company representatives indicated they intend to remove exploration equipment from the narrow outback road known fondly to locals as ‘killer track’.

The country has many sacred sites, including the little Inla Rockhole which has already been violated by initial track making. Any further tampering or widening to this track and sacred site will do irreparable damage to the culture effecting the whole of the Western Desert peoples. Marcina Coleman Richards and Sue Coleman Haseldine speak strong for the preservation of their country; the largest stretch of untouched Mallee woodland in the world.

“This is surely a win for our people. We have been campaigning for protection of this region for many years. The short term profits from mining will never outweigh the natural and cultural values of this land, and what it means to our people. Our message to the state government and any mining companies with interests in the area is ‘Munda Yumadoo Iliga’ which means ‘leave the land as it is’.

Stay tuned for more developments…



Camp contact: Sue Coleman Haseldine mb: 0061 (0)428872375

Photo’s on email request