FARMERS in Lalbert say they feel ignored after the Victorian Minister for Planning’s approval of VHM’s Goschen Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project.
Lalbert grain farmer Craige Kennedy is a member of the group Mine Free Mallee Farms which opposes the Goschen project due to concerns about the rehabilitation of farmland after it’s mined.
The group presented evidence at a public hearing in April, raising concerns about people and the environment being impacted by radioactivity, dust and noise from the project.
Among the experts presenting evidence against the mine was public health physician and Nobel Prize laureat Tilman Ruff AO who told the panel that VHM should have done more to ensure people near the mining site will not be exposed to possible risks of radiation.
Mr Kennedy said local farmers have had little time to process the minister’s decision on Tuesday in the middle of harvest season.
“We’re really busy with harvest and right now we’ve just been swamped with this announcement,” he said.
“We just feel like the government absolutely ignored us us and the evidence we presented at the hearing.”
In an ASX announcement, mining company VHM Limited stated the endorsement from the Minister places the company in a “favourable position” to move further with the development of the project.
VHM Limited chief executive Ron Douglas thanked Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny for the outcome of the EES assessment.
The company will still need further approval for a mining licence, but is planning to start construction in the first quarter of 2025.
“VHM’s achievement in obtaining Ministerial endorsement of Goschen’s EES is a major step forward in the initiation of a new rare earth and minerals sands project in Victoria,” he said.
“This recommendation is the result of extensive technical, environmental, and social studies conducted over several years and follows a rigorous evaluation process.
“It is a momentous outcome for all parties involved.”
With neighbours already planning to move due to voluntary land acquisition from VHM, Mr Kennedy said the recent approval of mineral sands mines in Victoria will have long term impacts on Lalbert farmers and the overall region.
“It will displace businesses and families and have lasting impacts the production of food across the Mallee and Wimmera region,” he said.
“Any landholder should be concerned for mining companies coming for their land and the government giving them fast-tracked approvals.
“Basically once the mining company has a mining licence, landholders are vulnerable to having their land acquired.”
Mr Kennedy expressed his scepticism at the ability of the EES’s Environmental Management Framework (EMF) in mitigating negative environmental effects.
“There’s been no test pit or trial of rehabilitation,” he said.
“They’re really relying on environmental frameworks to mitigate any disasters but once the hole is dug in the ground, it’ll be too late to fix it.”
Mr Kennedy said people in the community will meet and discuss their next steps.
“We aren’t going to stop speaking out,” he said
“We’ll certainly continue to participate in speaking against this and highlight the evidence we have.”
