Western Australia has been redrafting its 50-year-old heritage laws which currently give the minister the ultimate say in whether miners can destroy heritage sites.

Western Australia has been redrafting its 50-year-old heritage laws which give the state Aboriginal Affairs minister the ultimate say in whether miners can destroy heritage sites.

Company strives to rebuild its reputation following last year's destruction of the Juukan Gorge rockshelters.

Rio Tinto destroyed 46,000-year-old rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia in May 2020 against the wishes of the traditional owners.

The Norte Abierto complex was previously approved in 2019 following the submission of an Environmental Impact Statement.

Farmers have opposed the mine since it would be on prime agricultural land that could impact the region's water table and local Aboriginal people are against the development because it would disturb important cultural sites.

The company and minority partner BHP have spent $2 billion but have yet to produce any copper.