Treo resources to withdraw a metals exploration licence application in the Bylong Valley

Treo Resources registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on March 28 and applied for an exploration licence in the valley on April 4. The application covered around 388 square kilometres, mostly to the west of Bylong Valley Way between Bylong and Rylstone.

According to the company, proposed work in the application area included desktop studies and community consultation prior to any ground based exploration.

When questioned about the company's methods for minimising potential environmental impacts if exploration went ahead in the valley - parts of which are listed on the National Trust register - a spokesperson for Treo Resources said the company wasn't aware of the listing and subsequently decided to withdraw their application.

"The decision to withdraw ELA6463 was made following the Bylong Landscape Conservation Area coming to light," the spokesperson said.

"The company and its tenement managers, Rangott Mineral Exploration, were not aware that the Bylong Landscape Conservation Area was within and in close proximity to the exploration license application area.

"Had the Company been aware, it would not have proceeded with ELA6463."

Janet Walk, whose property sits inside the application area, said Treo's decision to withdraw is "wonderful" for residents in the area.

"The minute an exploration license goes over an area it creates uncertainty for existing landholders," Ms Walk said.

The application came less than two months after South Korean energy company, KEPCO, had a special leave application "dismissed with costs" by the High Court of Australia after a decade-long saga.

"Between the KEPCO defeat and Rylstone's successful fight against the Hawkins-Rumker coal project the region has had enough of mining uncertainty," Ms Walk said.

If approved, Treo's licence would have covered Group One, or "metallic", minerals including gold, silver, zinc, copper, cobalt and lithium.

Lock the Gate Alliance's Nic Clyde said while these critical minerals are going to be important to the nation's transition away from fossil fuels, "minerals mining has quite intense environmental impacts".

"Before this minerals boom starts we really need environmental and planning controls in place so we aren't repeating the mistakes of the past," Mr Clyde said.

"We can't afford to see the same level of destruction as we did with coal mining."

A spokesperson for the Department of Regional NSW said the government is "establishing NSW as world leader for the sustainable development of the state's mineral resources" to supply raw material for current and future technologies.

"Exploration for minerals, including critical minerals, is highly speculative, with only a small proportion of exploration sites proceeding to mining," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also said all applications are assessed against requirements of NSW mining legislation.

Treo's spokesperson said the company is "committed to minimising potential environmental impacts and risks associated with its activities".

"The directors of Treo resolved to immediately withdraw ELA6463," the Treo spokesperson said.

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