Using Collaborative Contracting Structures for Critical Minerals Exploration Opportunities in Australia

By Jay Leary and Jaya Prasad Summary Global investment in the clean energy transition has placed increased demand pressures on critical minerals supply chain Australia is already a key player in the critical minerals market but there is further opportunity to expand Australia’s offering to the global market Key risks include geological scarcity, sovereign and … Read more

Supreme Court of South Australia overturns exploration drilling approval reinforcing the significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage issues

By Melanie Debenham, Naomi Hutchings and Nigel Amigh A recent decision of the Supreme Court of South Australia has reinforced the significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage issues in the process of obtaining approvals for mining and exploration activities. In Dare, Bilney & Ors v Kelaray Pty Ltd, Premier of South Australia [2022] SASC 91 (Dare … Read more

A climate change duty of care: Sharma v Minister for the Environment

The recent decision of Justice Bromberg in Sharma v Minister for the Environment [2021] FCA 560 found that a novel duty of care is owed by the Minister for the Environment to Australian children who might suffer potential “catastrophic harm” from the climate change implications of approving the extension to the Vickery coal mine in New South Wales. Read more

NSW Government clarifies the strategic future of coal exploration and mining in New South Wales

On 24 June 2020 the NSW Government released its ‘Strategic Statement on Coal Exploration and Mining in NSW’ (the Statement), which outlines the Government’s policy position on future coal mining and exploration in New South Wales and aims to provide increased certainty to industry and community stakeholders. The new policy position recognises the ‘finite lifespan’ … Read more