The NSW Land and Environment Court has granted a permanent injunction preventing one of the world's largest gold mining companies from continuing exploration at Lake Cowal, near West Wyalong in central NSW.

An earlier injunction in March ordered Canadian mining company Barrick Gold to remove drilling rigs from the area, after traditional owners claimed exploration work was destroying an Aboriginal site.

The ruling means to continue exploration, Barrick Gold must seek approval from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to destroy Aboriginal relics on two areas of land, including most of the proposed mining pit.

Meanwhile, legal representatives for the Aboriginal traditional owners of the site say almost 300 people have signed a petition against continued exploration at Lake Cowal.