Regis Resources says its $996 million plan to build a new gold and silver mine in NSW is “not viable” because of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s 11th hour protection of Indigenous cultural heritage at the site.

Regis had planned to build a tailings dam near the headwaters of the Belubula River to store waste from the proposed McPhillamys mine, but was told on Friday afternoon by Ms Plibersek that the dam could not be placed at the proposed spot near Blayney.