Mining Environmental Issues

Scientists and legal experts warn against commercial deep-sea mining as US President Donald Trump signs an executive order opening up both US and international waters.

A record payout from a mining company — that drained millions of litres of Sydney surface water without a permit — will fund the rehabilitation of a heritage-listed swamp.

A delegation of Pilbara traditional owners has accused Rio Tinto of not giving investors the full story about the environmental and social impacts of its WA mines.

With Australia in the grip of what many consider a biodiversity crisis, here's what the major parties have promised when it comes to nature laws and the environment.

Bickham Coal Company says after decades of deliberations it has "no intention" of resurrecting plans for mining on its controversial site in the NSW Upper Hunter.

The condition of Karijini National Park's spectacular gorges worries traditional owners and business operators as WA's tourism season looms.

Residents are questioning why Lancelin's iconic sand dunes are being mined for limesand when they acted as a "perfect fire barrier" during recent bushfires.

A controversial mining project in northern Victoria has been cleared to proceed despite staunch community opposition.

A billion-dollar bet on nickel mining gave many New Caledonians hopes of economic prosperity and political independence. But after the market turned, the mine has left behind a ghost town full of broken hearts.

Residents from two rural suburbs of Broome are concerned a mining company prospecting for stone nearby will cause dust, noise and water supply issues.

Home to gas, coal, renewables and plans for nuclear, the outcome of the federal election could have real impacts in the NSW Hunter region.

Talison Lithium says it underestimated the impacts of dust, noise and light pollution from its Greenbushes mine expansion project on the local community in WA's South West.

The Anglo American-owned Moranbah North in central Queensland has been safely evacuated after dangerous gas levels were detected.

Newmont Corporation, owner of the Cadia mine at Orange in New South Wales, is convicted of exceeding dust regulations on five occasions between 2021 and 2023.

Woodside says a decision to further delay approval for its major gas project in WA's north west until after the federal election is "extremely disappointing". 

Demand for water by the resources industry and prolonged dry spells contribute to mass tree deaths in WA's mining heartland, traditional owners say.

The Oscar-winning actor is not happy with the federal energy minister for signing off on a bauxite mine expansion that would see 3,855 hectares of native forest cleared.

An old Queensland gold mine has been revived, but some residents are concerned about its environmental impact. 

The federal government has approved the expansion of a mine in the New South Wales Central West that is expected to produce 1.6 million ounces of gold.

The WA government defends its commitment to protecting Perth's drinking water as documents reveal the Water Corporation had serious concerns about potential contamination from Alcoa's mining operations.