Statement on High Court decision regarding Mount Pleasant Mine

The High Court decision on the Mount Pleasant approval granted by the NSW Government in 2022 is disappointing, although a subsequent approval granted by the NSW Government will enable the project to continue operations until at least 2032. 

However, after four years of activist legal challenges, MACH Energy now faces further uncertainty in its effort to secure the longer term continuity of the Mount Pleasant Operations and the jobs of its 600 mining workers.

This type of activist ‘lawfare’ conducted against approved mining projects creates uncertainty for workers, communities and those seeking to invest in NSW. 

The NSW Government needs to act decisively to address this ongoing problem by protecting project approvals granted through its planning assessment process.

The industry will carefully review the judgment to understand any implications for future project assessments, noting that since 2022 the formal consideration of emissions during the planning assessment process has significantly increased, including during the recent HVO assessment process. 

Contact: Brad Emery | bemery@nswmining.com.au | 0450620254