Two Mineral Sands Mines in Western Victoria Receive Environmental Nod

In a contentious decision, the Victorian government has granted environmental approvals for two major mineral sands mining projects located in western Victoria. Despite considerable opposition from local farmers, the Goschen Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project near Swan Hill and the WIM Resource Avonbank Mineral Sands Project near Horsham have moved a step closer to fruition.

VHM Limited and WIM Resource Projects Get the Green Light

Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s approval of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) comes with specific operational guidelines but marks a significant milestone for both projects.

• Goschen Mine: Proposed by VHM Limited, this mine is situated 35 km southwest of Swan Hill, covering 1,479 hectares of farmland. It aims to extract rare earth elements and titanium-rich minerals.
• WIM Resource Avonbank Mine: Located 10 km northeast of Horsham, this venture is set to process 12.75 million tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate across 3,426 hectares.

These projects are designed to contribute precious minerals used in advanced technologies like batteries, medical devices, and electric vehicles.

Farmers Voice Concerns

While these plans signify economic progression, they have faced staunch resistance from local farmers. Concerns range from environmental impacts to the wellbeing of communities.

Goschen Mine: A Farmer’s Perspective

Lalbert farmer Craige Kennedy remains apprehensive about the project’s implications. “The effects on human health and regional communities haven’t really been considered,” he asserts, pointing to issues of noise, dust, and radioactivity.

“We are concerned for our community and district, but also for the whole of regional Victoria.”

Kennedy feels the government has overlooked crucial evidence related to groundwater and rare earth mineral concentration, continuing a broader worry among landholders regarding the review process.

Dooen Landholders Feel Blindsided

Further unrest surrounds farmers like Dean Johns in Dooen, who expressed frustration at being “blindsided” by the announcement. Many feel the decision could not come at a worse time, coinciding with the challenging harvest season complicated by rain.

• Emotional Toll: Johns has taken calls from distraught farmers, concerned over the mine’s approval amidst their harvest struggles.
• Lack of Human Consideration: Farmers argue the EES fails to address mental health impacts, adding to their hardship during the harvest season.

Mining Companies Celebrate Approval

While challenges persist at the community level, the mining companies behind the projects are celebrating significant strides forward. VHM Limited heralds ministerial endorsement as a vital step towards project initiation.

“VHM’s achievement in obtaining ministerial endorsement of Goschen’s EES is a major step forward,” said CEO Ron Douglas.

Likewise, WIM Resource’s director John Bradley anticipates the Avonbank project will deliver substantial economic benefits, promising 967 full-time jobs over its 30-year life and boosting the region’s economy significantly.

Victoria’s Critical Minerals Strategy

Coinciding with project approvals, Victorian Minister Lily D’Ambrosio revealed a new roadmap for critical minerals. Changes include:

• Accelerated Approvals: Reducing the timeframe for mine approvals from three years to 18 months.
• Priority Zones: Designating regions as Priority Critical Minerals Development Zones to expedite development.
• Community Engagement: Emphasizing early community involvement in the planning process, highlighting agricultural, environmental, and social values.

D’Ambrosio emphasized the government’s commitment to integrating community feedback into project planning, introducing a “community benefit sharing framework” set to debut next year.

Looking Forward

The forthcoming period for Victoria’s mining landscape is marked by tension between economic ambitions and community advocacy. As projects advance, ensuring inclusive dialogue and comprehensive impact analyses will remain essential for sustainable development.

This dynamic showcases a broader conversation about industrial progress and ecological and social responsibility—a delicate balance carrying profound implications for the future of Victoria’s agricultural and mining sectors.

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-10/mineral-sands-mines-swan-hill-horsham-environmental-approval/104707930