Minns ‘absolutely’ disagrees with federal decision to block gold mine tailing site

NSW Premier Chris Minns has called out the federal government’s decision to block a gold mine tailing dam in the state.

NSW Premier Chris Minns says the federal government’s “eleventh hour” blocking of a proposed waste site for a gold mine in the state’s central west “may well” end the $1bn project.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek blocked the proposed site of the tailing dam for the mine because it infringed on sacred Aboriginal land.

Mr Minns told budget estimates on Wednesday he was “hopeful” Regis Resources, the company behind the McPhillamys mine near Blayney, could come up with an alternative dumping site, but could not be certain.

“I’m disappointed by the decision from the commonwealth government,” he said.

“The application was made in 2019. It’s gone through the independent planning and assessment commission, as well as every other government department in NSW.

“And to be knocked over at the eleventh hour is disappointing in terms of mining gold and other critical minerals in NSW, which we desperately need because coal mining is under pressure, particularly when it comes to export markets.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has voiced his opposition to the federal government’s ‘eleventh hour’ blocking a proposed waste site for a gold mine in the state’s central west. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Opposition Leader in the Upper House Damien Tudehope: “If they can’t (identify another tailing site) the mine will fall over?”

“It may well. We’re hopeful for an alternative tailing,” Mr Minns said.

“It may not be that the owner of the proponent of the mine is able to do that,” he said.

“We’ve been very, very direct about the NSW government’s view in relation to this mine.”

Mr Minns said that “gold, critical minerals and mining is absolutely crucial for jobs and investment in regional NSW.”

Pressed on whether he believed the federal government made the wrong call, he simply said: “Absolutely.”

More to come.