Gippsland Critical Minerals’ (GCM) redesigned Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project will undergo a full Environment Effects Statement (EES), with Victoria’s Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, announcing the process last week.
The Minister’s decision recognises that the rescoped proposal is materially different from the plan considered in 2021 and warrants a new assessment. The original proposal by Kalbar Resources was rejected in 2021 following an extensive EES process and Independent Advisory Committee review.
“This is a fantastic outcome that reflects the significance of the changes we have made to the project,” GCM chief executive officer Michelle Wood said.
“GCM has worked hard alongside the community and through our iterative design process to develop a project that is now ready for new assessment. We heard clearly from the community that prolonged uncertainty around timeframes was contributing to conflict and impacting community wellbeing. I am pleased the Minister has made a timely decision, providing certainty about next steps and
a formal process for all voices
to be heard.”
Key changes in the redesigned project include a 1.5-kilometre exclusion zone between mining operations and the Lindenow Valley horticultural area, removal of mining from Perry, Simpson and Lucas gullies, a 40 percent reduction in mining rate, progressive rehabilitation of mined areas, in-pit co-disposal of tailings, an enclosed concentrate shed, a rail-first logistics strategy, a new diversified water strategy, and enhanced dust management measures with continuous
public monitoring.
GCM Community and Stakeholder Lead Mick Harrington said the revised project met community expectations.
“This is exactly what we asked for. It allows people to examine the detail, ask questions and have their voices heard through a formal process,” he said, thanking community members, including the expanded Community Reference Group, whose input helped shape the updated design.
The Fingerboards Project is expected to create more than 300 ongoing jobs during operations, along with significant construction, employment and local procurement opportunities. More than $1 million in contracts has already been awarded to local companies. Large-scale testing through the Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit is set to begin soon, while detailed environmental and technical studies are already underway. Early community engagement will continue throughout the EES process, including public information sessions, website updates and meetings with the expanded Community Reference Group.
State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, welcomed the Minister’s decision in State Parliament, saying he had written to the Minister on two occasions following approaches from concerned community members.
“This is the correct pathway to have the right level of scrutiny applied, given the first proposal on this site did not pass,”
Mr Bull said.
“Like last time, it will be guided by a Technical Reference Group, which will include the major agencies and departments, and then be examined by an independent panel before a recommendation is made to the Minister. The EES will allow the community to provide input and is the appropriate process for assessing the project’s potential impacts.”
The assessment is expected to take up to 18 months.
Community group Mine Free Glenaladale also welcomed the decision, noting the project’s potential for significant environmental effects. Spokesperson Robyn Grant said the EES would allow the community to review the information provided and ensure potential impacts are properly assessed. Key matters for investigation include native vegetation and biodiversity, threatened species and ecological communities, surface and groundwater systems, downstream wetlands, Aboriginal cultural heritage, air quality, noise and vibration, agriculture and horticulture, socioeconomic values, landscape and visual amenity, as well as traffic, soils, contamination, radiation, and historic heritage.
The EES process will involve public exhibition and submissions before an independent panel considers the evidence and makes recommendations to the Minister, who will
then determine whether the project can proceed and under
what conditions.
