Today the Resources Victoria regulator has renewed two Retention Licences held by Gippsland Critical Minerals, with strict performance requirements.
This means that Gippsland Critical Minerals can now continue work on redeveloping its proposal to mine for rare earths, zircon, ilmenite and rutile through the Fingerboards Project. These license renewals do not permit mining.
As part of the renewal, the regulator has placed strict conditions on Gippsland Critical Minerals. This ensures Gippsland Critical Minerals seeks a Victorian Government determination on the future requirements of the Environmental Effects Statement, following the project's failure to gain approval in 2021.
Other milestones and performance requirements include thorough engagement with the community and Traditional Owners, climate modelling, environmental baseline monitoring and rehabilitation trials. Failure to deliver these milestones could lead to the cancellation of the licences.
Resources Victoria expects Gippsland Critical Minerals to have improved, collaborative and genuine engagement with the community and Traditional Owners.
The regulator also refused a series of exploration licenses surrounding the project site which places a hold on any further exploration activity in this area until it can be established that mining can occur without unacceptable risk to the environment.
The Earth Resources Regulator will closely monitor their activities to ensure strict new licence conditions are met.
Attribute quotes to Chris Webb, Resources Victoria Executive Director Regulatory Operations
"Through this decision we are providing Gippsland Critical Minerals with time to reshape their project but reducing the overall area where exploration can take place."
"If mining is to proceed in the Glenaladale area, Gippsland Critical Minerals need to address the previous EES assessment and come back with a different proposal that aligns with the values of the local community."
"While Gippsland Critical Minerals assess their options, we are putting a hold on other minerals exploration activity in this area."
