Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Fortescue fires senior executive after harassment investigation
Fortescue has fired a senior executive after an investigation into claims of sexual harassment and bullying.
The Perth-based mining company operates iron ore mines in Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region.
The investigation by law firm MinterEllison found the executive breached company policies and values, Fortescue said; the executive has not been named.
The company said it would continue supporting people who took part in the investigation.
Women workers have also brought a separate class action against Fortescue, alleging sexual harassment, assault and discrimination at its Pilbara mines.
The claims include allegations of stalking and sexual violence, which have not been established in court.
The case adds to scrutiny of safety and workplace conduct in remote mining camps, where women have raised concerns about harassment across the industry.
Fortescue Metals Group has fired a senior executive after an independent investigation substantiated sexual harassment and bullying allegations.
The company said the executive’s contract was terminated immediately.
The executive cannot be named for legal reasons.
Fortescue said the investigation began in July and was conducted by law firm MinterEllison.
The company is separately facing a class-action lawsuit alleging harassment, violence and discrimination against women at its Pilbara iron ore mines.
- Who
- Fortescue Metals Group fired a senior executive. The executive cannot be named for legal reasons.
- What
- The company terminated the executive’s contract after an investigation substantiated allegations of sexual harassment and bullying.
- When
- The decision was announced on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The investigation began in July.
- Where
- Fortescue is based in Perth, and the separate class action concerns its iron ore mines in Western Australia’s Pilbara.
- Why
- The investigation found conduct that breached Fortescue’s policies and values.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Andrew Forrest described allegations in the separate class action as serious and disturbing in an internal email to Fortescue’s workforce.
Fortescue began its investigation into the executive.
Fortescue announced that it had terminated the executive’s contract after the investigation substantiated the allegations.
- Company
- Fortescue Metals Group
- Investigation firm
- MinterEllison
- Investigation began
- July 2026
- Executive
- Not named for legal reasons
- Separate legal action
- Class action in the Federal Court over alleged conduct at Pilbara iron ore mines
3 sources
What people are saying
The investigation found conduct that breached Fortescue’s policies, as well as our values
Everyone, regardless of their role or seniority, is expected to meet the standards set by our values
Anyone who thinks this behaviour has a place at Fortescue is in the wrong company
Losing your job is the beginning of the consequences, not the end