A forum in Orange, in central western New South Wales, will consider calling for a moratorium on the approval of new heavy metal mines. The Greens said that more than 80 new exploration licenses have recently been issued in New South Wales.

Greens' MP Ms Lee Rhiannon said that urgent action is needed to curb the rapid growth of the water hungry mining sector. She added that "Today's forum will consider a number of motions. One of the issues that we will be determining is should we be calling for a moratorium on all new and expansions of existing heavy metal mines in western New South Wales?"

She said that the aim of the meeting is to bring together communities fighting mining developments. She added that "These communities who are largely isolated in fighting large mining companies will be able to learn from each others' experience and we will be building a network out of this event so we can give support to each others' campaigns."