Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
Victoria reconsiders rejected Fingerboards mineral sands mine proposal
The Victorian government is considering a new bid for the Fingerboards mineral sands mine in East Gippsland, about 270 kilometres east of Melbourne.
The project was rejected in 2021 because of concerns about risks to the environment and the region’s horticulture industry.
The company, Gippsland Critical Minerals, says its latest proposal includes significant changes, but a planning expert and nearby residents dispute that.
The renewed push comes as Australia and other countries seek minerals considered important for economic and national security.
The government gave the proposal Major Project Status in February, which provides extra support as it moves through approvals.
The government is now considering the revised bid, and the sources do not say what decision it will make.
Victoria is considering a revised proposal for the Fingerboards mineral sands mine in eastern Victoria, after rejecting an earlier version in 2021.
The company behind the project, Gippsland Critical Minerals, says its new bid includes significant changes.
A planning expert and nearby residents dispute that description and say the proposal has not substantially changed.
The renewed push comes as critical minerals gain importance for economic and national security reasons.
- Who
- The Victorian government is considering the proposal from Gippsland Critical Minerals.
- What
- The company is seeking approval for a revised Fingerboards mineral sands mine project.
- When
- The earlier proposal was rejected in November 2021; the company submitted a rescoped proposal in 2023.
- Where
- The proposed site is in the Lindenow Valley, about 25 kilometres west of Bairnsdale in eastern Victoria.
- Why
- The company says the site contains minerals deemed critical by the Australian government. Growing demand and the strategic importance of critical minerals have contributed to renewed interest.
Project critics
Gippsland Critical Minerals
Changes to the proposal
Project critics
Planning expert Michael Buxton says the project is not substantially altered.
Gippsland Critical Minerals
The company says its new bid includes significant changes.
Suitability of the project
Project critics
Nearby residents and the planning expert oppose the renewed bid.
Gippsland Critical Minerals
The company says the site is a rich source of minerals deemed critical by the Australian government.
The Victorian government rejected the Fingerboards mine proposal.
Kalbar, later renamed Gippsland Critical Minerals, submitted a rescoped proposal.
The Victorian government launched its critical minerals road map.
The Australian government gave the Fingerboards proposal Major Project Status.
- Proposed mine
- Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project
- Location
- Lindenow Valley, about 25 kilometres west of Bairnsdale
- Earlier decision
- Rejected by the Victorian government in November 2021
- Rescoped proposal
- Submitted in 2023 by Gippsland Critical Minerals
- Major Project Status
- Granted by the Australian government in February
What people are saying
The project is not a different project and it's not substantially altered
All they've really done is rolled a turd in glitter to make it look shiny
The minister could have just refused to consider this application — and in my view, should have
It might not have been viable five years ago, but obviously the demand is continuing to grow and this means that mines that weren't considered possible back then may now be viable
Sources
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