Discover more about local minerals exploration

The Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions is holding online information sessions in early October to update locals about minerals exploration west of Ararat.

The Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions is holding online information sessions in early October to update locals about minerals exploration west of Ararat.

The sessions will cover several topics including what minerals exploration involves, landholder rights, the safeguards in place and the obligations of exploration companies.

Earth Resources Regulation recently granted Stavely Minerals a minerals exploration licence following the 2018 Stavely Ground Release.

The Victorian-based company will be searching for gold, copper and other minerals in an area 25 kilometres west of Ararat, extending south to Mafeking, Wickliffe, Willaura and Lake Bolac. The area does not include the Grampians National Park.

Stavely Minerals will attend the sessions to outline their activities and there will be opportunities for attendees to ask questions.

Attendees can register to attend one of two online sessions at earthresources.vic.gov.au.

Stavely Minerals expects to spend up to $3 million over five years on exploration and will receive a $480,000 TARGET Minerals Exploration grant to help fund early-stage activities.

Generally, early-stage exploration activities such as mapping, sampling and rock testing, are the first steps in establishing if minerals are present. If development is considered viable, it typically takes many years to progress toward mining, including meeting regulatory controls.

In Victoria, before an explorer can access privately owned land and commence exploration activities, the explorer requires landholder consent.

Land access consent tools are available to aid negotiations between landholders and exploration companies. Templates will help both parties agree on access to private property, biosecurity protocols and managing any impacts on crops, and potential compensation.

These voluntary tools can be tailored for the specific needs and circumstances of the landholder and were developed in consultation with the Victorian Farmers Federation and the exploration industry. The landholder tools are at earthresources.vic.gov.au/landaccess.

Quotes attributable to Executive Director Earth Resources Policy & Programs, Jane Burton: 

“Minerals exploration is the first step in determining if minerals are present. If development is considered viable, it takes many years to progress toward mining.” 

“We encourage landholders to attend one of these sessions to learn more about minerals exploration, their rights and the obligations of exploration companies. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the department and Stavely Minerals.”

Contact: Mark Farrugia

Phone: (03) 8392 6913