In short:
There are fears mining exploration could devastate the Macquarie Marshes.
A Canadian-owned mining company was granted approval to drill for copper and gold on the land in north-west NSW earlier this year.
What’s next?
The NSW Resources Regulator has since instructed the company to cease exploration activities and has started investigating the proposal.
There are concerns the pristine ecosystems of the Macquarie Marshes in New South Wales could cease to exist after a mining company was granted approval to explore for copper and gold in the area.
The marshes in north western NSW are one of the largest remaining semi-permanent wetlands in southern Australia and act as a crucial breeding ground for waterbirds.
Graziers Garry and Leanne Hall, who own land set to be impacted by the proposed drilling, said they were devastated by the proposal.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous that this proposal has been approved by the NSW government,” Mr Hall said.
“As far as I’m concerned, this would be the end of the Macquarie Marshes as we know it.”
Canadian-owned mining company Australian Consolidated Gold Holdings was granted approval by the NSW Resources Regulator in March to continue exploration drilling on the western side of the Macquarie Marshes.
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