Fortescue faces legal appeal over native title compensation

Fortescue Ltd is facing a renewed legal challenge following an appeal by the Western Australian Government regarding a native title compensation payout. The appeal concerns a Federal Court decision that found the company liable for approximately $150 million in cultural losses and $150,000 in economic losses to the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation (YNAC).

The Yindjibarndi people filed a native title claim over land in the Pilbara region in 2003, receiving exclusive rights to parts of the land in 2017. Attorney General Tony Buti stated that the state government is seeking clarity on the law to support future negotiations and native title settlements, noting that the government supports the Yindjibarndi receiving proper compensation.

Separately, Fortescue's share price has declined by 20% since the start of 2025. Despite this, the company continues to expand its exploration into copper, rare earths, and lithium across Australia and several international locations, including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Kazakhstan, to align with the global transition to renewable energy.