Mine Free Glenaladale (MFG) has raised environmental and cultural concerns over a proposed demonstration test pit planned by Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) at its Fingerboards project site.
The group states the test pit is located near areas of First Nations’ Cultural Heritage and is positioned between two gully systems that flow into the Mitchell River.
According to GCM, the purpose of the test pit is to trial its proposed methods for managing noise, dust, surface water runoff, geotechnical stability, soil reinstatement, and rehabilitation.
However, the opposition group has questioned whether the test pit can accurately simulate the effects of the full-scale project. Opponents point out that the test pit will be dug to a depth of 20 metres, whereas the proposed final mining void would be up to 45 metres deep and cover a much larger area.
Local landholder and MFG member, Ms Clerke, argued the scale difference means the test pit “will not give a true indication of any impacts large scale mining will have”.
A key concern highlighted by Ms Clerke is the region’s dispersive soils.
“When disturbed these highly erodible soils form large tunnels which can be many metres deep,” she said.
She stated that past government-funded attempts to rectify tunnel erosion in the area have been unsuccessful and claimed that GCM has not provided sufficient detail on how it will manage these soils to ensure successful rehabilitation.
Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on local water systems. Ms Clerke suggested that excavation could interfere with shallow aquifers that feed into the Mitchell River and supply water to permanent dams. “Disturbing these aquifers will also affect ground water dependent ecosystems,” she said.
Furthermore, the group has voiced fears about the use of chemicals in the on-site processing plant. Ms Clerke stated that flocculants and acids, which she described as “toxic to aquatic life”, have the “potential to runoff into the gullies”.
She also expressed concern that chemicals mixed with mining tailings, which are planned to be pumped back into the pit, could leach into the groundwater over time.
In a concluding statement, Ms Clerke reiterated the group’s belief that the test pit will “prove little” about the potential “destruction and long-term consequences” of the proposed mine at the Glenaladale site.
