"Bikie and money laundering claims taint Hellyer mine as government moves to shut it down", 1 April 2026

The Tasmanian government has taken steps to revoke the operating licence of one of the state's biggest mining operations, after being warned that it was allegedly used as a "vehicle for money laundering" and that former owners were associated with underworld figures, including a patched member of the Lone Wolf bikie gang.

The claims were contained in a letter to the Mineral Resources Tasmania's director of mines dated late last year. Similar allegations have been referred to in court proceedings in the Tasmanian Supreme Court.

As the fallout spreads, with litigation underway in three states and intensifying financial pressure, rival miners are circling, and the Tasmanian government has begun "a process relating to the possible revocation of the Hellyer mining lease"…

Bikies buy in

Hellyer's new owners have told the Tasmanian government that LW Property Investments was "affiliated with" the Lone Wolf bikie gang, and that money-laundering activities "under the previous ownership and leadership" had led to the mine's current distressed state…

Tax office investigating source of funds

… One Hellyer source told … that Hellyer funds were used to buy a drilling rig for Apex — something a company source said was part of a pattern of "quid pro quos" between the two companies.

… New buyers brought in to settle debt

… Mr Bates introduced Brisbane-based Graham Cox, and together they moved beyond refinancing and ultimately bought into Hellyer itself…

… Mr Monks left Hellyer under a cloud of allegations — strenuously denied — that company funds had been misused…

A spokesperson for the liquidator told … that "[alleged] relevant offences have been reported to ASIC, but that report is confidential"…

…, Goshawk was successful in obtaining a court order freezing Hellyer's assets, pending the resolution of the dispute, as the current owners sought to restructure the mine.

An application filed by Goshawk … in Tasmania's Supreme Court alleged Mr Cox and Mr Bates had improperly sought to induce Goshawk to withdraw its litigation against Hellyer.

Hellyer claimed the three-week cease-work notice was unlawful, although the company has declined to comment or share legal advice…