Argonaut Resources Fires Back at SA Gov Ruling on Torrens JV

By Joel ScanlonJan 17 2012

Argonaut Resources, a junior Australian mining firm, has criticized the South Australian government for wasting its time and money over mining and native title regulation. The criticism came after the exploration license it was given for its Torrens Joint Venture was overturned.

The exploration license was overturned following an appeal in the South Australian Supreme Court over converting an area of 6,300 square km as an Aboriginal heritage site under the Aboriginal Heritage Act. The company thus lost all its approvals to proceed with mining and exploration activities.

Patrick Elliott the chairman of Argonaut Resources said that the ruling of the court had the potential to prevent any development in South Australia on land where Traditional Ownership can be asserted. He added that the rule eliminated intended Ministerial power. Mr Elliot added that they and their joint venture partners had wasted many years in the uncertain regulatory environment.

This is a blow for South Australia which is seen as a miner friendly state. The chair of the Andyamathanha Traditional Land Association, Vince Coulthard reiterated this when he said that the court’s decision did not block mining. He added that there was no legislation in Australia that provided the Aboriginal people with the veto of mining.