Fortescue Metals Group investigating attempted rape of woman at Christmas Creek mine

Fortescue Metals Group has revealed it is assisting a police investigation into the attempted rape of a female worker at one of its Pilbara mine sites. A male contractor has been stood down from FMG’s Christmas Creek mine after the alleged sex attack at an April end-of-shift drinking session in the site’s accommodation hub — Karntama Village. It comes just weeks after The West Australian exclusively revealed a South West FIFO worker was accused of raping a woman at BHP’s Mulla Mulla Village in November. The man in his 30s — whose identity has been suppressed — faced court this month on two charges of sexual penetration without consent. FMG chief executive Elizabeth Gaines described the fresh allegations as “deeply distressing and disturbing” and said “an active police investigation” was under way. The same month of the alleged attack at the multimillion-dollar “resort-style” Karntama accommodation hub, Christmas Creek was visited by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and FMG chairman Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest. The West has been told of a “free bar” put on that night for workers at the camp’s wet mess, which allows workers up to six drinks per day and serves full-strength beer. Ms Gaines said the company had “clear guidelines” in place around alcohol consumption which included, “regular random alcohol and drug testing measures”. The West Australian can reveal the woman, who works for a contractor, reported the incident to police last month. Charges are yet to be laid. Complicating the police investigation is the fact several witnesses do not live in WA. Ms Gaines said Fortescue held a zero-tolerance approach to “harassment, bullying or intimidation” and security measures already in place had “enabled us to assist the police with this investigation”. In a third mining sex case, it emerged yesterday that another BHP female worker has alleged she was raped by a co-worker while the pair were in Perth in July last year. The 43-year-old male colleague was stood down the following month and charged with six counts of sexual penetration on August 29. The Balga man pleaded not guilty and is due to go on trial in the Perth District Court next year. He also lodged an unfair dismissal claim against BHP for his sacking. Mines Minister Bill Johnston said mining companies should look at all options to mitigate attacks, not ruling out “dry camps” or gender segregated camps when asked on Wednesday. “I think that companies need to look at every option to make sure that they can provide a safe workplace for their workforce,” he said. Police Minister Paul Papalia told The West he wasn’t aware of the latest matters but labelled the theme “very disturbing”. “I encourage anyone who’s been a victim of sexual assault to come forward to police so they can be supported and the matter investigated,” Mr Papalia said. “Our police are professional and will thoroughly investigate all allegations.” CME chief executive Paul Everingham labelled the sexual harassment and assault were “incredibly serious and unacceptable in any context”. “The safety of our people is the WA mining and resources sector’s number one priority and member companies are committed to eliminating any instance of sexual assault, sexual harassment or other behaviours that threaten people’s personal and psychological safety at work,” he said.