An Australian mining company has been fined this month for desecrating an Aboriginal site in the Northern Territory. This is the first ruling of its kind, with implications for rock art sites -  and their preservation - around the world.

OM Ltd was fined Aus $150,000 for physically damaging, through negligence and blasting activities, the spiritual significance of an Aboriginal site at Bootu Creek over an extended period of time  - a court ruling that amounted to desecration under Australia's sacred sites laws.

The site, known as 'Two Women Sitting Down', is sacred to the Kunapa people. The case was brought to Darwin magistrates court by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority. OM Ltd has accepted the ruling and apologised unreservedly.

This ruling clearly has implications for rock art sites and sacred sites on a global scale, highlighting the delicate balance between cultural legacy and economic  development, and the need for legislative precedents and parameters.