Mining company claims government didn’t follow proper process for Aboriginal heritage protection order

A proposed goldmine site near Blayney. Regis Resources is seeking to overturn a heritage protection order made last year, arguing that a blue-banded bee Dreaming story that influenced the decision was not raised until two years after the initial application. Photograph: Supplied

A mining company developing a goldmine in the central west of New South Wales has told the federal court the government did not properly assess a Dreaming story at the centre of a heritage protection order issued over part of the site.

Regis Resources has challenged the decision by the former environment minister Tanya Plibersek to issue the order last year under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.