Timeline 2019 –
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Items listed below will be referenced in future chapters now in development.
Jan. 10, 2019 – Reuters “Donations keep Death Valley National Park partially open during shutdown”
Feb. 1, 2019 – The Trust for Public Land “2019 Priority Projects – Purchase Rio Tino land to be protected and enjoyed as part of Death Valley National Park”
March 11, 2019 – Mining Technology “Mining scandals: four incidents that shook the industry”
March 18, 2019 – New York Law Journal “SEC Allowed to Pursue Fraud Claims Against Rio Tinto, Former Executives” and Reuters “U.S. judge says Rio Tinto must face SEC fraud case”
March 20, 2019 – Cryptocurrency News “Sodium Tetraborate Market to Hold a High Potential for Growth by 2027”
March 23, 2019 – Kim Stringfellow, The Mojave Project “Borax: The Magic Crystal”
April 10, 2019 – The Sydney Morning Herald “Rio Tinto and former execs file spirited defence of US fraud claims”
April 23, 2019 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto maintains risible climate hypocrisy”
April 29, 2019 – Research report on ioneer, formerly Global Geoscience, discusses ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Lithium – Boron Project in Nevada, USA, which includes information on the future of lithium and boron mining and Rio Tinto. Rodney Hooper – Independent Research Report ioneer LTD 2019
May 16, 2019 – Research report on ioneer, formerly Global Geoscience, discusses ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Lithium – Boron Project in Nevada, USA, which includes information on the future of lithium and boron mining and Rio Tinto. Kurt Worden – Kerr Allan Financial Research ioneer Limited
June 4, 2019 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto told to put Jadar lithium on backburner”
June 4, 2019 – The Sydney Morning Herald “US court victory for Rio Tinto as class action dismissed”
July 3, 2019 – Australian Financial Review “Consistency evades Rio Tinto (again)”
July 12, 2019 – The Australian “Rio Tinto linked to interest in Ioneer’s Nevada lithium undertakings”
July 18, 2019 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto’s lament begins in earnest” and “Class action lawyers probe Rio’s Mongolian maelstrom”
July 19, 2019 – US Borax notice of intent to hold mining claims and mill sites. The document is signed by Nathan Francis, Land Manager for Rio Tinto Minerals (U.S. Borax). Francis is also an Advisory Member of the Death Valley Natural History Association.
Oct. 22, 2019 – Reuters “Rio Tinto targets lithium from waste rock” – Investor’s Business Daily “Rio to produce Lithium in California, Joining Electric Car Battery Race” – The Sydney Morning Herald “A ‘eureka moment’: Rio Tinto strikes lithium while looking for gold”
Oct. 23, 2019 – Lithium Investing News “What Does Rio Tinto’s ‘Eureka Moment’ Mean for Lithium”
Oct. 31, 2019 – Reuters “Rio Tinto pivots towards smaller finds with growth potential”
Nov. 3, 2019 – National Park Service, Death Valley National Park “20 Mule Team Reenactment Visits Death Valley”
Nov. 8, 2019 – Transform Magazine “Transform Awards North America 2019 celebrates outstanding work in rebranding and brand strategy” with US Borax, Rio Tinto and Refactored winning the Silver award for best rebrand of a digital property. Refactored “U.S. Borax Storytelling Engages Global Value. A full site redesign centers around the importance and omnipresence of mineral products.” Refactored “Full Case Study”
Nov. 8, 2019 – American Borate Company donates 144 acres of land including patented lode mining claims known as Jon #1, Jon #2, Jon #3, Jon #4, Jon #5, Jon #6, Jon #7 and Jon #9, to The California Desert Land Conservancy, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, doing business as Mojave Desert Land Trust. View donation Grant Deed.
Nov. 13, 2019 – The Death Valley Conservancy 2018 Internal Revenue Service, Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, indicates a net asset or fund balance of $23,396,625.
Jan. 27, 2020 – Joint Death Valley National Park and Death Valley Conservancy Meeting
Feb. 19, 2020 – San Jose State University Field Studies in Natural History announces, “Death Valley 2020.” Since 2011 when San Jose State University Field Studies in Natural History moved from Ryan Camp to their new home at Death Valley Natural History Association’s Cow Creek facility, they have continued to make upgrades and improvements to better serve students and participants. “Cow Creek Improvements Campaign”
March 4, 2020 – Antelope Valley Press “Boron mine waste may yield Lithium”
March 11, 2020 – Mojave Desert News “Mining past, present and future”
March 21, 2020 – Death Valley National Park, in response to Executive Order N-33-20 issued by the Governor of the State of California and the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
March 31, 2020 – Amargosa Hotel, Café and Opera House cancel performances and close due to the severe impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
March 31, 2020 – Human Rights Law Center “After the Mine – Living with Rio Tinto’s Deadly Legacy” and The Guardian “Rio Tinto accused of violating human rights in Bougainville for not cleaning up Panguana mine”
March 31, 2020 – Front Line Whistleblower News “Rio Tinto Whistleblower Files Complaint with U.S. Regulators” and Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto manager takes Mongolia disclosure claims to ASIC”
April 3, 2020 – Mining “Rio declares force majeure at Kennecott after quake”
May 11, 2020 – Amargosa Opera House Inc. requests donations to avoid a permanent closure. (PDF copy.)
May 26, 2020 – The Guardian “Rio Tinto blasts 46,000-year-old Aboriginal site to expand iron ore mine”
May 29, 2020 – ABC News “Rio Tinto blasting of 46,000-year-old Aboriginal sites compared to Islamic State’s destruction in Palmyra” and The Guardian “Juukan Gorge: Rio Tinto blasting of Aboriginal site prompts calls to change antiquated laws”
May 31, 2020 – BBC News “Mining firm Rio Tinto sorry for destroying Aboriginal caves”
June 2, 2020 – The Sydney Morning Herald “‘Wasted opportunity’: US heritage expert slams Rio Tinto’s sacred site blast”
June 3, 2020 – Mining Technology “Anthropologists slam Rio Tinto for destroying ancient Aboriginal site”
June 4, 2020 – The Guardian “Rio Tinto blames ‘misunderstanding’ for destruction of 46,000-year-old Aboriginal site”
June 5, 2020 – ABC News “Report reveals Rio Tinto knew the significance of 46,000-year-old rock caves six years before it blasted them” – (PDF copy) and “Executive Summary of Key Archaeological Assessments Juukan Gorge, Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura, WA 2004-2014”
June 9, 2020 – The Guardian “Reconciliation Australia ends partnership with Rio Tinto over destroyed heritage site” and Reconciliation Australia “Statement on Rio Tinto”
June 12, 2020 – Bloomberg “Is a 46,000-Year-Old Site Less Sacred Than Profits?”
June 15, 2020 – Australian Financial Review “Secret recording: Rio Tinto ‘not sorry’ for cave blast” (PDF copy)
June 19, 2020 – Mining Technology “Rio Tinto to release Aboriginal heritage review after site destruction”
July 9, 2020 – National Indigenous Times “Aboriginal organisations urge Corporate Human Rights Benchmark to strip Rio Tinto’s high-ranking human rights status in open letter”; Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB) and the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) Statement “CHRB response to the destruction of a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal heritage site by Rio Tinto at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia on 24 May 2020”; Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto has come full circle”
July 14, 2020 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto’s Aboriginal desecration shows folly of rote ESG”
July 22, 2020 – Australian Financial Review “Marcia Langton eviscerates Rio Tinto”
July 24, 2020 – The Sydney Morning Herald Exclusive “‘Gutted’: Former Rio Tinto VP says blast threatens decades of progress”
July 27, 2020 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto board ignored report of ‘unethical behaviour'”
July 28, 2020 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto’s detonation of trust adds up” and “Former Rio executive cites likely reasons behind blast blunder”. Investor Daily “Rio Tinto’s ESG report card is a colossal ‘fail’”
July 28, 2020 – Mining “Rio Tinto in discussions with the UK’s Serious Fraud Office over Simandou probe”
Aug 4, 2020 – Reuters “Rio Tinto apologises for failures in Australian cave blast inquiry”
Aug. 5, 2020 – The Market Herald “Rio Tinto to face Inquiry Committee for blasting Juukan Gorge rock shelters”
Aug. 7, 2020 – The Sydney Morning Herald “Rio Tinto blasted ancient Aboriginal caves for $135m of iron ore” and the Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto’s JS Jacques still blaming everyone else”
Aug. 7, 2020 – US Borax notice of intent to hold mining claims and mill sites. The document is signed by Nathan Francis, Land Manager for Rio Tinto Minerals (U.S. Borax). Francis is also the Vice-Chair of the Death Valley Natural History Association.
Aug. 10, 2020 – Steel Guru “Rio Tinto Admits Fact Hiding in Blasting Ancient Aboriginal Caves Jukkan Gorge”
Aug. 24, 2020 – The Sydney Morning Herald “Rio Tinto slashes bonuses over 46,000-year-old cave blast disaster”
Aug. 24, 2020 – The Guardian “Major investment firm dumps Exxon, Chevron and Rio Tinto stock. Storebrand says corporate lobbying to undermine climate solutions is ‘unacceptable’”
Sept. 6, 2020 – Reuters “U.S. SEC to examine Rio Tinto whistleblower claims over Oyu Tolgoi” and Financial Times “US regulator examines Rio Tinto whistleblower claims over Oyu Tolgoi – Ex-employee alleges miner knew of problems at copper project months before it confirmed delays”
Sept. 7, 2020 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto misleads parliamentary inquiry” and Mining Journal “Rio Tinto hired lawyers ahead of blast – Rio Tinto engaged law firm Ashurst to deal with any legal issues relating to its blast at Juukan Gorge”
Sept. 10, 2020 – Australian Financial Review “Rio Tinto dumped ‘unviable’ mine onto charities”
Sept. 11, 2020 – Australian Mining “Rio Tinto CEO steps down, executives axed”
Sept. 11, 2020 – Business & Human Rights Resource Centre “Rio Tinto CEO, top executives resign amid cave blast crisis”
Sept. 25, 2020 – Series of phone meetings between Death Valley National Park and the Death Valley Conservancy to organize a virtual presentation for the December 2020 Park Partners event.
Sept. 29, 2020 – BBC News “Rio Tinto: Mining giant accused of poisoning rivers in Papua New Guinea”
Oct. 12, 2020 – The Guardian “‘Devastated’ Indigenous owners say Rio Tinto misled them ahead of Juukan Gorge blast”
Oct. 16, 2020 – Pahrump Valley Times “Nonprofit pushes for monument status for Amargosa Basin.” The newly formed Friends of the Amargosa Basin was incorporated June 3, 2020. The articles of incorporation are signed by Susan Sorrells and filed by the California Secretary of State June 3, 2020. Sorrells is also the owner of Shoshone Village and Shoshone Development Inc. which is described as a serviced based, tourism driven store, motel and recreational vehicle park.
Nov. 3, 2020 – The Death Valley Conservancy 2019 Internal Revenue Service, Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, indicates a net asset or fund balance of $26,959,707.
Nov. 4, 2020 – Mining “Australia accepts human rights complaint against Rio Tinto over Bougainville” and SBS News “Australia agrees to review human rights complaint against Rio Tinto over Bougainville mine site”
Nov. 10, 2020 – Australian Financial Times “Rio Tinto executive coach reported ethical concerns to regulators”
Nov. 12, 2020 – Miningmx “Mining firms lose ground in ESG perceptions following Rio Tinto blasting blunder” and Mining News “Newmont shines in Alva ESG rankings”
Nov. 19, 2020 – KLAS-TV Las Vegas “Amargosa Opera House struggles to survive, keep ballerina’s legacy alive”
Nov. 23, 2020 – National Parks Traveler “Millions Of LWCF Dollars Targeted For Parks – Death Valley National Park” and LWCF Fact Sheet “LWCF funding would enable the purchase of the entire Rio Tinto property, the largest inholding in Death Valley National Park, and its addition to the Park as wilderness. Adjacent to some of the most popular areas of the park, protection of this land ensures visitors can continue to enjoy the unique landscape.”
Dec. 2, 2020 – Reuters “Timeline: Rio Tinto’s sacred Indigenous caves blast scandal”
Dec. 6, 2020 – The Sydney Morning Herald “High stakes Rio Tinto-ASIC trial delayed on COVID-19 concerns”
Dec. 9, 2020 – BBC News “Rio Tinto ordered to rebuild ancient Aboriginal caves”
Dec. 9, 2020 – US Borax Lode Mining Claim Location Notices. US Borax files 220 load mining claim notices with Inyo County, California. The new mine claim names are Plateau 32 through Plateau 304 and are located within the area of approximately 231 active claims located between 1983 and 1991 on the plateau above the old company owned town of Ryan Camp and adjacent to the eastern boundary of Death Valley National Park.
Dec. 16, 2020 – Reuters “Rio Tinto names Stausholm as CEO in surprise pick after cave destruction”
Dec. 19, 2020 – The Sydney Morning Herald “Inside job: Rio’s appointment reveals board’s tin ear”
Jan. 25, 2021 – PRovoke Media “Crisis Review: The Top 20 Crises Of 2020 – Number 4. Rio Tinto’s Jukaan Gorge destruction”
Jan. 26, 2021 – ABC News Australia “Rio Tinto and BHP battle Apache tribes to build North America’s biggest copper mine at sacred Oak Flat site”
Jan. 27, 2021 – University of Utah Daily Chronicle “Reese: The U Needs to Break Up with Rio Tinto”
Jan. 28, 2021 – Australian Financial Review “‘The adults are back in charge’: Rio chief resets leadership”
Feb. 4, 2021 – ABC News Australia “Damning letter puts Rio Tinto back in hot water over destruction of Juukan Gorge Aboriginal rock shelters” and The Guardian “Juukan Gorge traditional owners say they are reluctant to continue dealing with Rio Tinto”
March 1, 2021 – Mining “US Forest Service rescinds environmental report for Rio’s Arizona copper mine”
April 15, 2021 – Australian Financial Review “Albanese recalls ‘earth-shattering’ news that ended his Rio reign”
May 6, 2021 – ABC News Australia “VIDEO: Rio Tinto boss says he deeply regrets the destruction of the Juukan Gorge caves” and Brisbane Times “Rio Tinto investors revolt against ex-CEO pay after cave blast crisis”
May 7, 2021 – Australian Financial Review “Rio’s Mozambique ‘whistleblower’ complained of ‘obfuscation’” PDF copy
May 14, 2021 – Joint Death Valley National Park and Death Valley Conservancy Meeting
May 24, 2021 – South Africa News24 “General manager of Rio Tinto’s Richards Bay Minerals shot dead in KZN” and Zululand Observer “Richards Bay Minerals GM assassinated” also South Africa Business Day “Murder adds a new twist to violence around Richards Bay Minerals – Killing of a senior manager takes place against a background of community conflict since 2016”
June 24, 2021 – The Guardian “Rio Tinto accused of allowing irreplaceable Indigenous artifacts to be dumped in rubbish tip” and National Indigenous Times “BREAKING: Rio Tinto intentionally dumped heritage material at Darwin tip”
June 25, 2021 – The Sydney Morning Herald “Rio Tinto faces cover-up claim over Aboriginal artifacts dumped in tip” and Proactive “Is anyone surprised that further allegations of Rio Tinto’s past wrongdoings are now beginning to surface?”
July 5, 2021 – National Indigenous Times “Survey says Coles most trusted brand, Rio Tinto least trusted”
July 20, 2021 – The Guardian “After 32 years, Rio Tinto to fund study of environmental damage caused by Panguna mine” and Financial Times “Rio Tinto backs environmental study into mine that triggered civil war”
Aug. 9, 2021 – The Wall Street Journal “Rio Tinto Mismanagement Caused Mongolia Copper Mine’s Woes, Report Says”
Sept. 8, 2021 – US Borax notice of intent to hold mining claims. The notice is for 221 claims named Plateau 32 through Plateau 304 located in 2020 on the plateau above the old company owned town of Ryan Camp and adjacent to the eastern boundary of Death Valley National Park. The document is signed by Mitchell Thomas, U.S. Borax Inc. The 231 claims named Ryan 32 through Ryan 302 located between 1983 and 1991 on the plateau were closed Sept. 1, 2020.
Nov. 10, 2021 – The Death Valley Conservancy 2020 Internal Revenue Service, Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, indicates a net asset or fund balance of $28,595,702.
Nov. 18, 2021 – The Guardian “Rio Tinto’s past casts a shadow over Serbia’s hopes of a lithium revolution”
Feb. 1, 2022 – The Sydney Morning Herald “Rio Tinto ‘shamed’ by alarming sexual harassment, bullying and racism”; Reuters “Report on Rio Tinto finds ‘disturbing’ culture of sexual harassment, racism, bullying”; Rio Tinto “Everyday Respect task force”
Apr. 7, 2022 – Mojave Desert News “U.S. Borax celebrates 150 years”
May 27, 2022 – The Ecologist “The mine, the dead fish, the villagers and their protests – Rio Tinto QMM mine failures ‘root of conflict in South Madagascar’
Nov. 8, 2022 – The Death Valley Conservancy 2021 Internal Revenue Service, Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, indicates a net asset or fund balance of $30,761,335.
Jan. 28, 2023 – Australian Financial Review Lost radioactive capsule from Rio Tinto; Bloomberg A Tiny ‘Highly Radioactive’ Capsule Lost in Vast Australian Desert Raises Alarm; BBC News Rio Tinto apologises for losing radioactive capsule in Australia
Feb. 1, 2023 – BBC News How a tiny radioactive capsule was found in Australia’s vast outback
Timeline under construction. Please notify author on the website contact page for errors, omissions or suggestions.
Desert Fog 