The New South Wales (NSW) government announced that it will stop support for all offshore exploration and mining around the state’s coastal waters for commercial purposes. Any offshore exploration or mining will be limited to tackling coastal erosion through beach renourishment, the Deputy Premier and Resources Minister Paul Toole said. “NSW has some of the world’s most spectacular coastlines which support local industries and make them a great place to live and visit, and we want that to continue for future generations,” Toole said on Feb. 23. “While our coastline will be off-limits for commercial operators, exploration and the potential mining of sand will remain an option to address coastal erosion and restore sand to beaches, such as the work already being carried out at Newcastle’s Stockton Beach.” The decision comes despite the federal government’s decision in June 2021 to open up 80,000 square kilometres (30,000 square miles) of coastal …