Fortescue (ASX: FMG) announced the temporary suspension of an unnamed executive amid sexual assault allegations, as law firm MinterEllison conducts an independent investigation on the matter.
In a new statement, Fortescue said the allegation is being treated “extremely seriously” and that the executive was suspended from their activities in the company as the investigation progressed, though no findings have been made.
“Sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination and any behaviour that makes people feel unsafe have no place at Fortescue,” the iron ore producer said on Tuesday.
The Australian Financial Review reported that no timeline was given for MinterEllison to submit their report and findings, which will be reviewed by a subcommittee of Fortescue’s board members.
A week before this, Fortescue had decided to keep the senior executive at work as the investigation was underway.
Since July, the company has already faced a class action lawsuit that alleges it failed to protect female workers from sexual harassment and discrimination at its sites.
An industry problem
The allegations put renewed attention on workplace culture at Fortescue, Australia’s third-largest miner, as Western Australia’s resources industry continues to grapple with sexual harassment and assault allegations at remote operations.
The latest investigation follows an earlier dispute with Western Australian authorities over Fortescue’s handling of alleged misconduct. The miner avoided charges for failing to provide documents concerning dozens of alleged sexual harassment cases after settling the matter in late 2023.
Under that settlement, Fortescue agreed to spend A$1.4 million ($1 million) on strategies aimed at addressing inappropriate workplace behaviour across the mining industry.
Fortescue shares fell 1% on Tuesday to $17.71 apiece and are down 11% over the past year.
(With files from Bloomberg News)
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