Hellyer Gold Mines has accused the Tasmanian Government of corruption and unlawful conduct, threatening Federal Police intervention as a disputed three-week Cease Works Notice blocks supplier payments and drives damages past $100 million.
CEO Graham Cox alleges political influence and corruption are behind the State’s actions, which he claims are causing catastrophic financial and reputational damage. The company further highlights that the government’s refusal to act is the only barrier preventing suppliers from being paid.
Media release – Hellyer Gold Mines, 1 December 2025
Hellyer Gold Mines demands immediate rescission of Cease Works Notice
Tasmanian Government accused of unlawful conduct as Hellyer Gold Mines demands immediate rescission of Cease Works Notice – damages exceed $100mil and counting
Hellyer Gold Mines is demanding that the Tasmanian Government immediately rescind the unlawful notice, allowing the company to resume operations and pay its suppliers.
Hellyer Gold Mines CEO, Graham Cox today said, if the State continues to deliberately suffocate Hellyer Gold Mines using administrative delays as excuses, despite full transparency from Hellyer Gold Mines, no debts owed to the State, documented and bona fide strong financial support and a clear pathway forward, the only questions left are these:
What is the real motive of the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for this unilateral and unlawful conduct?
Who are you supporting behind closed doors if it isn’t the current owners of Hellyer Gold Mines and the suppliers that need to get paid?
“I say to the leadership of this Government, the State is broke, you have multiple failures on your hands, have the lowest credit rating in the country and can’t afford to build a new stadium.
You are elected to parliament to serve the people and businesses of Tasmania, never forget that,” Cox continued.
“Hellyer Gold Mines has today confirmed it will have no choice but to escalate matters to the Mining Tribunal, Integrity Commission and if the evidence presents, the Federal Police and investigative bodies, to get answers not just for Hellyer Gold Mines but suppliers and our global trading partners.
There should be some very worried MPs and ‘friends of MP’s right now.”
Hellyer Gold Mines alleges unlawful government action as cease works notice enters day 21, with damages mounting to over $100mil
Hellyer Gold Mines condemns the Tasmanian Government for issuing what it believes is an unlawful and unjustified Cease Works Notice, now in its 21st day, inflicting catastrophic financial and reputational damage on the company, its suppliers and Tasmania’s domestic and international investment reputation.
Mr Cox said the notice was issued without lawful basis, without clarity and without the State responding to repeated requests for explanation.
“Hellyer Gold Mines has complied with every single request made by the regulator. We do not owe the State a cent, not in royalties, not in taxes, not in any other obligation,” Cox said.
“The State’s refusal to rescind this unlawful notice is now the only thing preventing suppliers from being paid. This is entirely their own doing and we encourage suppliers to contact the Minister and demand answers to the same question we are asking.”
Government silence grows as damages blows past $100mil and counting, Government now liable
The Government-imposed suspension has already cost Hellyer Gold Mines millions in lost revenue in 21 days, with tens of millions more in financial and reputational loss mounting daily.
Hellyer Gold Mines has formally notified the State that it reserves all rights to pursue damages exceeding $100 million regardless of the suspension being rescinded.
“The economic harm caused by this unlawful action is staggering,” Cox said.
“The Government is crippling a fully funded, profitable mining project and they have refused to answer even the most basic questions, whilst denying us procedural fairness and denying us natural justice by failing to provide specific details.”
State refuses to articulate alleged ‘non-compliances’
Hellyer Gold Mines said the regulator has failed to outline in writing the alleged issues leading to the notice, despite repeated and formal requests. Suspicion and evidence continue to grow at the real reasons at play.
“Twenty-one days later, we still do not have a written explanation providing clarity or granular details. Three dot points referring to ‘operational non-compliances’ with no specifics’ is the only response we have received,” Cox said.
“No regulator or Government, acting lawfully hides the reasons for its actions. Yet that is exactly what is happening.”
Cox said Minister Ellis has refused repeated requests to meet with Hellyer Gold Mines’ executive team, instead using the regulator as a political shield to avoid accountability and to distance the Minister from decisions that are clearly being influenced at a political level.
Hellyer Gold Mines provided clear financial pathway, the State is blocking supplier payments
Hellyer Gold Mines has provided the State with a clear and documented pathway forward, including letters of financial support from its major partners guaranteeing capital release as soon as the unlawful notice is rescinded. This was sent to the Premier, Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Government Whip, Minister for Resources and the regulator. It was also provided to other members of parliament for absolute transparency.
Multiple suppliers have contacted Hellyer Gold Mines expressing shock that the State continues to block the resumption of work, even after learning that Hellyer Gold Mines’ partners stand ready to release millions of dollars in funds immediately.
“Our suppliers are furious, yet every one of them say the same thing, this government is corrupt and always putting ‘old school mates’ ahead of hard-working taxpayers,” Cox said.
International fallout – global trading partner questions Tasmania’s reliability
The fallout has now travelled offshore, with Hellyer Gold Mines’ Chinese off-taker seeking explanations from the Tasmanian Government and questioning the State’s reliability as an international trading partner.
“This is no longer just a Tasmanian issue,” Cox said.
“The world is watching how Tasmania treats responsible operators and international partners.”
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