An application for judicial review of a decision of the delegate of the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines to refuse an exploration permit under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 – purportedly to explore for Oil Shale.
Justice North held that it is a relevant consideration to an assessment of an application for an exploration permit, made under the Act, for the decision maker to have a degree of satisfaction that the applicants are targeting minerals within the meaning of the Act, and not some other object other than a mineral and with some prospect of success.
Matthew Hickey appeared as junior counsel for the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, who was successful in resisting the application for judicial review.
The judgment can be read by clicking here
