Gregson, M, Parker, J & Crosbie, J 2026, ' Wittenoom and Yampire asbestos management areas, Western Australia, 
from an Aboriginal Corporation and Traditional Owner perspective ', in AB Fourie, G Boggs, J Heyes & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2026: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-4, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_0.03
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2615_0.03_Gregson/)
Abstract: The Banjima people have occupied their homelands in the Central Pilbara region of Western Australia for at least 45,000 years. The Wittenoom and Yampire asbestos mines are located in the heartland of Banjima Country, in an area of profound cultural significance. This keynote paper presents a Traditional Owner and Aboriginal Corporation perspective on the history and continuing legacy of blue asbestos mining at Wittenoom and Yampire, and Banjima’s ongoing pursuit of accountability, remediation and healing of Country.
Commercial mining of blue asbestos on Banjima Country commenced at Yampire Gorge in 1937 and later expanded to Wittenoom Gorge and Colonial Gorge. Mining ceased in 1966 when the operation became uneconomic. The unrehabilitated Wittenoom asbestos mine is widely recognised as one of the most significant contaminated sites in the southern hemisphere, with a government-mandated exclusion zone of more than 46,000 hectares. The Western Australian Government progressively closed the Wittenoom townsite and withdrew government services due to the significant risks posed by asbestos contamination, with the area recognised as unsuitable for ongoing residential occupation. Exposure to asbestos from the mines, processing facilities, former township and surrounding contaminated areas has contributed to a substantial burden of asbestos-related disease among former workers, residents and other affected communities. Wittenoom asbestos exposure has been associated with more than 2,000 deaths, primarily from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, with health impacts continuing to emerge decades after exposure due to the long latency period of these conditions.
Six decades after mining ceased, asbestos tailings remain exposed and continue to spread through wind, water and human activity. This ongoing contamination has caused extensive degradation of land and waterways, destruction of cultural heritage, loss of safe access to Country, and continuing risks to human health, animals and the environment. For Banjima people, the impacts are direct, indirect and cumulative, affecting health and wellbeing, native title rights, cultural practice, spiritual connection, and the ability to care for Country.
This paper discusses the environmental, cultural, health and social impacts of the Wittenoom and Yampire Asbestos Management Areas on Banjima Country and Banjima people. It also outlines Banjima’s legal action against the State of Western Australia, which seeks remediation of the unrehabilitated asbestos tailings and recognition of the harm caused. The Wittenoom and Yampire Asbestos Management Areas are not only contaminated sites, they represent an unresolved environmental justice and failure to protect cultural heritage, native title and public health. The time for healing Country is overdue.

Keywords: Banjima, Wittenoom, Yampire, asbestos, Aboriginal cultural heritage, native title, contaminated sites, mine rehabilitation, public health, environmental justice