EARTH Resources last week held an information session for local community members concerned by the recent exploration licence applications that have been lodged in the area.
All told, around 70 people logged in to the digital meeting, keen to get some clarity around questions that have been, for months, unanswered.
Speaking with the Alpine Observer/Myrtleford Times, Sue Ronco, a founding member of the anti-mining Facebook group, No Gold Drilling (and no more gold mining) in our Shire valleys, said she believed too many concerns remained after the information session was over, and more needed to be done.
“After the information session with Earth Resources, I was left feeling that they (Earth Resources) are quite ineffectual,” she said.
“And considering that this is a government department that has come under scrutiny recently, with the Victorian Auditor-General publishing a report back in August 2020 that showed bad systemic failings of Earth Resources regulation, I can’t say I’m surprised.
“My dealings with them so far certainly confirm the negative critique of that report.”
Ms Ronco detailed that the salient takeaways from the information evening were that community members don’t have enough power to protect their land from third parties such as mining companies.
“Earth Resources confirmed that as the law stands, we do not have the right to deny miners access to our private properties. Our only option is to advocate for as much compensation as we can from the mining companies involved,” she said.
“They also confirmed that local councils do not need to approve any kind of work permit for exploratory drilling to go ahead, once Earth Resources has granted an exploratory license.
"Exploration can occur on our properties 100 metres from our homes.”
Anthony Hurst, Earth Resources Regulation executive director, said the session had given parties the chance to better understand exploration licenses in their area.
“The session provided an important opportunity to people to learn more about minerals exploration and ask questions. For those that missed the webinar, a recording of the session will soon be made available online,” he said.
“The safety of the Victorian community, and that of their local environment, is front and centre of everything we do.”
Speaking about last year’s report from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, Mr Hurst said that Earth Resources had worked to ensure that the issues raised in the report were addressed.
“As recognised by VAGO, Earth Resources Regulation has taken serious and considerable steps to improve the way it regulates mine and quarry rehabilitation,” he said.
“The VAGO audit confirms a range of issues and improvements identified through a 2018 review by the Earth Resources Regulation.
"Improvements continue to be implemented.
“The state’s minerals law sets the requirements that applicants must satisfy to be granted an exploration licence.
"These include being a fit and proper person and being able to finance the proposed work and site rehabilitation.
"Some areas can be exempt from exploration and some applicants choose to withdraw their applications.”
