Regis Resources (ASX:RRL) started legal proceedings challenging an environmental protection declaration by Australia's environment minister over a portion of its McPhillamy gold project in New South Wales under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.

The mining firm launched judicial review proceedings challenging Australian Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek's decision and is asking the Federal Court of Australia to determine that the Section 10 declaration is legally invalid and the application be redetermined by a different minister, the filing said. The company is also asking for an award of legal proceeding costs.

Regis expects the legal matter to be resolved by mid-2025, even as it acknowledges the length of the court process, the filing added.

Shares of Regis Resources fell almost 5% at market close Thursday.

Price (AUD): $2.49, Change: $-0.13, Percent Change: -4.79%