The Melbourne Age, page-9

26 minutes ago

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'They still have 2100ha': Plibersek says gold mine delay claims 'nonsense'

Noah Yim

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says it is “nonsense” that a $1bn mining project she rejected on Indigenous heritage grounds would result in five to 10 years of delay.

“This idea that it would take five to 10 years is nonsense,” she told ABC TV. “It depends on the company finding a suitable location that doesn’t impact cultural heritage and is suitable environmentally.

“Of the 2,500 hectare site, they still have 2,100 hectares to have a look at on the land that they already own. I have already said that the rest of the site is not impacted by my cultural heritage decision. I think it is in the company’s interest to look at alternate sites.”

Ms Plibersek rejected a tailing dam for a gold mine in Blayney on Indigenous heritage grounds. Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns have however signalled they backed the mine.