Mine Free Glenaladale (MFG) held an information evening in Bairnsdale last week with 170 people attending.
Guest speakers spoke about the potential consequences of a mineral sands mine in this location.
“Once again we are facing the challenge of opposing the Fingerboards project; developed by a company that refused to concede defeat of their project following an extensive Environmental Effects Statement process, a company that has never mined,” MFG spokesperson Robyn Grant said.
Ms Grant said a company name change from Kalbar Resources to Gippsland Critical Minerals did not change the project, “as it is in the same location and poses the same impacts and threats to human health, the agricultural and horticultural industries, Cultural Heritage, biodiversity, the Perry and Mitchell Rivers and the Gippsland Lakes”.
Ms Grant gave an overview of the project based on information released by the company and changes Gippsland Critical Minerals have made to the original Kalbar proposal.
She spoke of the planned test pit proposed by Gippsland Critical Minerals, saying it would present the same impacts as the large scale mine in the area.
Emcee for the evening was Ian Campbell, the former Economic Development Officer with the Wellington Shire and the former Gippsland “Voice” to Regional Development Victoria.
He spoke about his economic development work, the risk of any mine abandonment and the affects this has on the environment and the community.
He outlined the flow-on affects of ground and surface water contamination and reiterated concerns of disturbing the complex ground water system by any mining.
Vegetable grower, Kane Busch, from Busch Organics, a member of the Lindenow Valley Growers, has opposed this mine for many years.
Mr Busch said dust and water contamination were the two main threats that would impact Busch Organics certification, saying the Organic Industry does not tolerate any contamination whatsoever.
“As young farmers we have heavily invested in the future in the Lindenow Valley and a mineral sands mine here would put paid to this,” he said.
Ecologist Lincoln Kern spoke about the importance of aquifers which replenish groundwater dependent ecosystems and said little is known about the interaction of surface water and groundwater in the Fingerboards landscape. He emphasised that further research was necessary before mining is given the go ahead.
Mr Kern was also concerned about the destruction of 700 mature trees and threatened grasslands that support biodiversity in the Glenaladale area. He said these mature trees support diverse populations of birds, insects, reptiles and mammals.
The mining process was explained by Nick Barton, a well-accredited agricultural scientist, who expressed concern for the affect mining in this area would have on surface and groundwater and the impacts on the Perry River and its unique Chain of Ponds and the Mitchell River.
Mr Barton highlighted potential dangers of flocculants used in the separation process and for dust suppression. He said these remained inert but under certain conditions these flocculants break down and become toxic to aquatic life and are carcinogenic.
Rod Campbell, from the Australia Institute and MFG economic expert during the Environmental Effects Statement hearing, still maintains the Fingerboards project is economically questionable.
Sharon Clerk, long term campaigner against the Fingerboards mine proposal and a local resident of Glenaladale, raised concerns for community unity and wellbeing of residents who will be affected by any mining in the area.
