One of 28 protestors to face court over the matter, Littlewood pleaded guilty to the charge of entering enclosed lands and was found guilty to the charge of maliciously hindering the working of mining equipment.

“The court hearing was told how Littlewood and a colleague had armed themselves with roping equipment, harnesses and food and went to the Boggabri mine site in the early hours of Wednesday, December 18, during a shift change-over,” the Namoi Valley Independent reported.

“They entered a boundary fence clearly marked ‘No unauthorised entry’ and scaled a 40-metre high ‘silo-type’ structure which contained the mine’s 200 metre conveyor belt.

“Walking to the top of the structure, Littlewood attached herself with the help of the rope and harness with two signs, ‘Protect our water’ and a sign in Japanese, ‘Water is for everyone’ from a tower.”

The other charged protestors have reportedly had their proceedings transferred from the Gunnedah Local Court, where 25-year-old Littlewood was fined, to the Narrabri Local Court with outcomes expected in August.