Here is the full article from the Fin Review: ( I'm sure a...

Here is the full article from the Fin Review: ( I'm sure a solution will be found.)


The construction of Australia’s largest undeveloped gold project has been challenged by the area’s traditional owners, who appealed against the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of the $1.3 billion mine.The Hemi project, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, is estimated to hold at least 11 million ounces of gold worth more than $50 billion at today’s near-record prices. Stockbroking analysts have described Hemi as the country’s best undeveloped gold mine. It was owned by De Grey Mining, recently acquired by Northern Star Resources in a $6 billion deal. The Hemi project will be one of the largest gold mines once constructed. However, the native title body corporation that oversees the land Hemi sits on has filed an appeal to the EPA against how the mine will handle wastewater. The Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation has long been at odds with De Grey over its proposal for wastewater from Hemi to be discharged into local waterways. KAC flagged that it wanted stronger protections for the nearby Turner River.
“Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation feel the relationship with De Grey Mining is strained,” KAC chief executive James Gibson told AFR’s Street Talk earlier this year. “KAC has repeatedly objected to the discharge of water into either the Turner River, Yule River or re-injection back into the Kariyarra palio channel.” The EPA granted conditional approval to Hemi on June 30, prompting KAC to register its opposition. The environmental agency’s approval was contingent upon conditions, including limits to the amount of groundwater the mine can use and on the disposal of surplus water, including discharge into the Turner River. KAC and Northern Star were contacted for comment. Hemi is in its preliminary stages, and the project must receive all the required approvals before construction can commence. De Grey expected gold production to begin in 2027, but Northern Star has not confirmed that timetable. Once operational, the mine is forecast to produce 530,000 ounces annually in its first decade, placing it among Australia’s top five gold mines by volume. De Grey and KAC implemented a native title mining agreement in late 2022 that covers Hemi. The body also has a joint venture agreement with ASX-listed water services provider Vysarn for water resources in the area. It is understood that a subsidiary of Vysarn and KAC have teamed up to submit a second appeal against the EPA’s approval of Hemi. KAC’s responsibilities include protection of flora, fauna and culture sites in the group’s homeland around Port Hedland. When Northern Star completed its all-share takeover of De Grey in May, the miner highlighted its commitment to improving relations with KAC.“The Northern Star team looks forward to integrating Hemi into our portfolio and building strong relationships with the Kariyarra people, other traditional owners in the Hemi project area and additional Hemi project stakeholders,” it said.Northern Star’s buyout of De Grey is the largest in a string of Australian gold deals that have been fuelled by the precious metal’s seemingly unstoppable rise to record highs beyond $5000 per ounce.Hemi is expected to produce an ounce of gold for less than $1500, making the mine a highly profitable venture.