The blasts, while legal, deeply distressed the traditional owners and led to a public outcry and a national inquiry, ultimately costing three top executives and two board members, including the chair, their jobs.

Spending on exploration in Australia rose in the December quarter to its highest in over seven years.

Glencore unit McArthur River Mine received approval from the territory's mining minister last year to proceed with the expansion.

It has spent over $385 million (A$500 million) in the past year to continue developing the Greater Tom Price iron ore operations.

It could make it more difficult for coal mines to be approved in Australia on the basis of intergenerational equity and climate change.