Mining company claims government didn’t follow proper process for Aboriginal heritage protection order

Regis Resources told a federal court hearing the partial protection order, which blocks construction of a planned tailings dam, would make its development unviable

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A mining company developing a goldmine in the central west of New South Wales has told the federal court the government did not properly assess a Dreaming story at the centre of a heritage protection order issued over part of the site.

Regis Resources has challenged the decision by the former environment minister Tanya Plibersek to issue the order last year under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.