Mining giant Rio Tinto has warned the legislative fallout from the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters remains unknown and may affect its ability to accelerate iron ore exports this year as booming Chinese demand sends prices soaring.

Australia's biggest iron ore miner on Tuesday said it aimed to ship between 325 million tonnes and 340 million tonnes of the steel-making raw material this year after achieving 331 million tonnes in 2020.
 

However, Rio cautioned investors that the iron ore target remained subject to weather, market conditions and the fallout from the miner's destruction of ancient caves in Western Australia's Pilbara region last year.

"The future impact on our Pilbara iron ore operations, mine developments and heritage approach from the reform of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 remains unknown," the miner said. "We will maintain a high level of engagement with traditional owners regarding current and proposed plans for mining activities."