The National Native Title Tribunal has approved a coal-seam gas project to go ahead on Gomeroi Country in the Pillaga and its surrounding areas over the next 20 years.
On Monday the tribunal ruled in favour of Santos's Narrabri Gas Project and proposed mining leases should be granted which includes 850 new gas wells.
The decision comes despite Gomeroi people not consenting and raising concerns the project would cause cultural and environmental harm to Gomeroi Country.
Earlier this year some two hundred people demonstrated outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday in solidarity with the Gomeroi people in their fight to protect the Pilliga forest.
Opposition to the Santos project is led by a group of 19 Gomeroi people who in 2011 filed a native title claim over the land which is yet to be determined.
They argued Santos had not negotiated with them in good faith and the project would adversely affect the Gomeroi people's way of life.
While never made before in a native title case, the Gomeroi applicant argued the project would contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and "grave environmental harm".
All arguments were rejected and tribunal president John Dowsett said the tribunal had particular regard to the anticipated benefits of the Narrabri Gas Project.
"The tribunal does not doubt that the Gomeroi applicant's concerns are genuine," Mr Dowsett said.
"However, the tribunal concluded that the Gomeroi applicant had failed to justify its assertions that the proposed grants would have such effect."
The tribunal ruled Santos may proceed on the condition they take all the necessary steps to ensure cultural research is carried out prior to the next stage of the project.
Earlier in December, Santos lost their appeal against Tiwi residents who launched legal action against offshore petroleum regulator NOPSEMA over their handling of Santos' Barossa project.
In a statement made on Monday, Santos said they want to continue to work in consultation with First Nations people and native title holders.
"Santos will continue to engage constructively with the Gomeroi people and work closely with them to ensure their heritage is protected and they benefit from the project development in range of ways, including through training and employment, and involvement in all aspects of their cultural heritage protection and management," it said.
"Santos has a strong track record of working collaboratively with First Nations peoples in Australia and internationally.
"Santos has been consulting and working with the Gomeroi people since 2012, and in formal negotiations regarding the Narrabri Gas Project since 2015."
Gomeroi man Raymond Weatherall told AAP he was disappointed but not surprised by the ruling.
"In every mind that goes across Aboriginal people's country across the continent, they always say it far outweighs the cultural significance and spiritual connection to our country in regards to progress and money that can be made," Mr Weatherall said.
"I expected it, we've been fighting against them for over 10 years now, but it is disheartening."
Santos was obligated to negotiate with Gomeroi people for their approval but eventually sought a ruling from the tribunal.
