However, the goldminer supports the proposed changes, which resources minister
A bill to amend provisions of the Mining Act 1992 relating to the need for development consent before a mining lease is granted was introduced into the upper house late on Wednesday evening. The changes will effectively kill off a case brought by private explorer Gold and Copper Resources in the NSW Land and Environment Court questioning the validity of two mining leases covering part of the Cadia Valley operations.
Asked if Newcrest had lobbied the government to have new legislation introduced, company spokeswoman
“The government is involved in its own right," she said. “This [the Mining Act changes] is something that the government has determined in the interests of the industry."
Delayed passage of bill
NSW Greens MP
He had expressed concern that the government was trying to rush it through without proper consultation or regard for legal processes.
Mr Hartcher tried to win Labor support for the bill by claiming that if it wasn’t passed immediately, jobs at Cadia Valley and other mines in the state would be at risk.
But shadow resources minister
“If the government and its legal advisers said to us ‘this is the situation, if we don’t do this those jobs would go’, then almost certainly we would support the bill," Mr Whan said. “But there are a number of questions about this that need to be clarified and it’s good that we’ve got some time to do that now."
The bill has been adjourned until the next sitting of Parliament on November 12.
The Australian Financial Review