An Australian judge threw out a regulator’s approval of Santos’s environmental plan to drill for natural gas in the Barossa gas field
after the mining company blew up ancient caves significant to Australian indigenous groups.
“Project approval uncertainty is a public policy issue that should be urgently addressed by Australian governments to reduce risk for trade and investment in projects around the country,” Santos said. Santos argued it consulted the Tiwi Land Council, a statutory body representing all eight clans of Tiwi people, and held in-person meetings with locals. But Mr. Tipakalippa and other members of his clan, which view the sea near the islands as sacred, said Santos should have had more direct communications with the clan. They also worried the drilling, increased vessel traffic and potential oil spills could threaten local wildlife.