Gold Mine Plans Halted by Minister Over Indigenous Land

A $1 billion gold mining project in New South Wales is now in jeopardy following Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek's recent intervention aimed at protecting Indigenous lands. Regis Resources had planned to operate the McPhillamys Gold Project near Blayney for approximately 11 years, a venture that had received both state and federal approvals and was expected to generate around 1,000 jobs. However, on August 16, Plibersek invoked a Section 10 application under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act, citing the cultural significance of the Belubula River to Indigenous groups. The declaration affects a portion of the river that would have been included in the proposed mine's storage facility for waste material. Regis Resources has stated that this decision renders the project "unviable," leading the company to reduce the project's value by $192 million and withdraw its assessment of 1.89 million ounces of ore reserves. CEO Jim Beyer expressed concern over the economic implications, noting that the loss of access to the site has severely impacted the project's feasibility. While the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation supported the minister's decision, they refrained from commenting further. The mining company has voiced disappointment over the potential job losses in Blayney and the associated decline in royalties and tax revenues. Meanwhile, NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos emphasized the importance of balancing heritage protection with the advancement of key mining projects, asserting that both objectives can coexist. Regis Resources is set to release its financial results for the 2023/24 fiscal year on August 22.