A mine or a threat?
Dear Editor,- The announcement by Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) regarding draft EES Scoping Requirements attempts to present a “redesigned” mine to East Gippsland.
Re-branding an inherently flawed proposal does not change physical reality.
In 2021, the Victorian Minister for Planning handed down a historic rejection of this project on unyielding scientific and environmental grounds. GCM’s current claims of a “1.5 km buffer” and “reduced mining rates” completely ignore our regional climate.
A 1.5 km buffer is meaningless when north-westerly wind gusts regularly reach 90 to 126 km/h, carrying particulate dust directly toward the Woodglen Reservoir and the Lindenow Valley food bowl.
Furthermore, GCM’s proposal for “in-pit tailings co-disposal” merely buries the hazard out of sight. Excavating 58-meter deep voids into unconfined aquifers and filling them with fine, toxic tailings creates a permanent sub-surface contamination source above our water table — threatening the Heritage-Listed Mitchell River, the Perry River, and the Ramsar-listed Gippsland Lakes.
Seeking 3.0 Gigalitres of fresh water annually in an agricultural region reliant on every drop is not a “water security strategy” — it is a direct threat to primary producers.
Mine Free Glenaladale and the surrounding community will be participating fully in the Engage Victoria submission process between August 13 and September 2.
As retired mineral sands mine manager Malcolm Baker correctly concluded
after inspecting the site: “This mine just should not be”.
Yours etc.,
Chas Becket, Eastwood
