The copper market appears to be reaching a defining moment when it decides whether we're in a new supercycle or the same old China cycle which has defined pricing for over a decade.
Farmers have opposed the mine since it would be on prime agricultural land that could impact the region's water table and local Aboriginal people are against the development because it would disturb important cultural sites.
It's possible the present rush for the exit from coal will be matched by major oil and gas producers making a similar dash to get out of LNG in a few years time.