Prior to becoming independent in 1968 Nauru's phosphate resources were heavily exploited by Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

[1] The environmental damage was so severe that for a time Australia was planning the resettlement of the island's inhabitants once it became uninhabitable.

[4] Its claim to have not received timely notice of the case was rejected as Nauru had discussed the matter in speeches and meetings.

However, Nauru's claim to certain assets that had been held in trust but later vested in Australia was dismissed as it had not been raised in a timely manner.

Reportedly there was a payment of $107 million Australian Dollars, along with a commitment to spend AUD$2.5m each year on environmental remediation.