zircon--a precious mineral, page-4

That sounds like a massive overstatement o wise one. The project has strong support from the Tiwi Land Council and the NT Minister for Mines and Energy. Mining has also been approved by the Commonwealth ministers for Indigenous Affairs (Vanstone) and Environment. Seems that the NT Minister for the Environment is now requiring a full EIS. This could be true or could be a media beat up. But even if its true, is unlikely to delay the project for anything like 6 months - because a lot of environmental work has already been done.
The other thing that will counter any substantial downward pressure on the SP is the imminent announcement on resource and mine life extensions.