I believe with those exploration claims, once someone puts in an...

I believe with those exploration claims, once someone puts in an objection then you have to go through a mediation process.  While you're going through the process you have limited payments to the government and don't have to worry about "use it or lose it" requirements.

In that case, the company that has the application for the tenements can sit on them for as long as they like while they are in "negotiations" with the objectors, and only seriously search for a solution once they are actually ready to start exploring that particular prospect.

Basically no real incentive to move fast until you're ready, and I expect that's the case here.  That said, my only knowledge of WA tenement laws is through the various articles on the machinations Twiggy Forrest used to try to stop mining at Mindaroo.