Human rights lawsuit reinstated against mining company with Minnesota site

A U.S. federal appeals court reinstated a lawsuit claiming that mining giant Rio Tinto, which owns a company that is exploring a non-ferrous mining site in northeast Minnesota, violated human rights and committed genocide at a mine in Papua New Guinea.

The split decision overturns an earlier dismissal of the lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of 10,000 residents of the island of Bougainville who revolted against conditions in the mine in 1988, leading to a government crackdown and many deaths, Reuters reports.

“The complaint alleges purposeful conduct undertaken by Rio Tinto with the intent to assist in the commission of violence, injury, and death, to the degree necessary to keep its mines open,” Judge Mary Schroeder wrote.

Rio Tinto denies all liability.

Kennecott Exploration is a member of the Rio Tinto group of companies. Kennecott is exploring a site near Tamarack, a town of less than 100 people in northeast Minnesota.

Kennecott is also a member of Mining Minnesota, the industry’s lobbying group, which advocates for non-ferrous mining in the state. There are currently no non-ferrous mines operating in Minnesota, although some companies are nearing the end of the permitting process. The mining technique is controversial because of its environmental impacts.