Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has rejected an application from First Nations leaders to stop a NSW South Coast mine expansion after the discovery of a large number of Indigenous artefacts.

"While I am satisfied that the area was occupied by Aboriginal people in the past, and that there are sites of moderate-high archaeological significance within the specified area, I am not satisfied that the area is a significant Aboriginal area, because I am not satisfied the area is of particular significance to Aboriginal people in accordance with Aboriginal tradition."

-Arbiter of Aboriginality & Indigeneity, Sussan Ley