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Mining legal fight: Gold project viability threatened
13 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Gold mine development faces unviability due to heritage protection.
- Mining company challenges heritage order based on 'Dreaming' story.
- Court hearing focuses on procedural fairness and heritage assessment.
A legal dispute is unfolding in federal court as mining company Regis Resources challenges a heritage protection order affecting its McPhillamys goldmine in New South Wales. The order, issued by the former environment minister, blocks the construction of a crucial tailings dam.
Regis Resources claims the government failed to properly assess a 'blue-banded bee Dreaming' story that formed the basis of the protection order. The company argues this, along with procedural missteps, makes the goldmine development unviable, despite the protected area not being the primary mining zone.
The court is reviewing whether the story was introduced too late and if the government followed a fair process. The government maintains its actions were reasonable and that the heritage significance outweighs potential financial impacts.
