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ABC News
7 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Greater Bendigo community divided on Fosterville Gold Mine expansion green light
Depending on who you speak to, Victoria's largest gold mine is either a good corporate citizen or a bad neighbour. Fosterville Gold Mine, 20 kilometres east of Bendigo, is one step closer to expanding its operations after the state government gave the green light to a proposed expansion last week. Parent company Agnico Eagle said the expansion would future-proof the mine for the next decade and support 1,000 jobs. The Bendigo region has come to rely on the mine, not just for employment but for the $2 million it has returned to the community through sponsorships, donations and grants. But the expansion has split opinion in the town. Some nearby residents and environmental advocates say they feel shocked and let down, while others are thrilled the mine will remain a fixture in the region. And now all eyes are on the Commonwealth to find out whether it will give the final tick of approval required for the mine's expansion to proceed. Hydrologist Phillip Macumber said he felt hopeful after meeting with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, but was left shocked when her government approved Fosterville's expansion days later. Dr Macumber reviewed the mine's plans for the Save the Campaspe lobby group and was less than impressed. "It runs counter to everything I've done and known in my hydrogeological experience over the last 50 years," he said. "The present way they're operating [the mine] is contaminating the river, I've got no question in my own mind, with arsenic and antimony. "What makes it so frustrating is it's so blatantly obvious, but where are the people stepping up? Standing up? "Not in government. They don't appear to be." Victoria's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has raised concerns about the mine's groundwater modelling and monitoring, concerns backed by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny. The minister ultimately deemed the mine's groundwater impacts acceptable if mitigation measures were properly carried out. A Fosterville Gold Mine spokesperson said the environmental effects statement (EES) was a rigorous, transparent process that gave all stakeholders, including Dr Macumber, a chance to be heard. Community group Save the Campaspe said the Victorian government had dismissed the concerns by approving the expansion. "There's no doubt this mine expansion will negatively impact our families, homes and the Campaspe River," the group said. The mine's EES revealed the expansion would result in habitat loss for several threatened species including the critically endangered swift parrot, and vulnerable ecosystems such as box ironbark forest. The planning minister's assessment found that potential impacts could be acceptably managed, provided that strengthened environmental management practices and amended mitigation measures were adopted. "We're making sure safeguards are in place to protect the environment while also creating more jobs and boosting Bendigo's economy," she said. Victorian National Parks Association conservation campaigner Ben Gill said the approval ignored expert environmental advice. A Victorian government spokesperson said the EES was a "robust and transparent" process. "[It gives the] community confidence that projects balance the needs of communities, environmental protection and economic growth," the spokesperson said. On the other side of the fence are a number of workers, their families, and community groups that support and rely on the mine. Fosterville is one of the highest-grade gold mining operations in the world and the largest gold producer in the state, according to the Victorian government. Bendigo real estate agent Brad Hinton is on the committee for Bendigo's Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, a prostate cancer fundraising event. He said the committee was "ecstatic" the mine, a major sponsor, was a step closer to another 10 years of operation. Mr Hinton said it was rare for the mine not to be on board supporting events, sporting clubs or charitable efforts in the community. Fosterville Gold Mine said it had invested more than $2 million across sponsorships, donations, scholarships and community grants in Greater Bendigo. Agnico Eagle Australian operations vice-president Ion Hann said the state government's endorsement would allow that support to continue. "We're grateful for the engagement throughout the EES process and remain committed to responsible mining and transparent communication," Mr Hann said. The state government said the expansion would deliver a $1.3 billion boost to the Bendigo region over the next decade. After receiving state government approval the mine's plans will need to receive mining and EPA approvals, as well as approval from the Commonwealth government.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Fosterville Gold Mine expansion plans approved by Victoria's planning minister
Victoria's largest gold mine has been given the green light to expand by the state government, despite the concerns of neighbouring residents. Fosterville Gold Mine, 20 kilometres east of Bendigo, plans to extend its underground operations and build the infrastructure it needs to keep mining for at least another 10 years. It includes construction of new tailings storage, a brine evaporation pond and a waste rock dump. Fosterville Gold Mine's operations caused a 3.6 magnitude earthquake last November, resulting in 12 reports of building damage from nearby residents. Last year, members of the community told an inquiry assessing the environmental impacts of the extension proposal they had been kept awake by noise from the mine and underground blasting had damaged their homes. Hydrologist Phillip Macumber reviewed the plans on behalf of a group of residents and told the inquiry it was his opinion "the whole mine system is contaminating groundwater and surface water systems". However, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has approved the mine's environmental effects statement (EES), ruling the potential impacts can be acceptably managed, provided the mine adopts stronger environmental management practices and amended mitigation measures. One resident, who declined to be named, said they were "shocked and devastated" by the decision, but needed more details before commenting further. The inquiry has recommended a new surface water monitoring system to minimise the impacts on groundwater and local waterways, and better monitoring of noise, vibration and air quality. "We're making sure safeguards are in place to protect the environment, while also creating more jobs and boosting Bendigo's economy," Ms Kilkenny said. The mine's proposal now needs approvals from the Commonwealth, the Environment Protection Authority, and a work plan assessment, but the approval of the EES is a major milestone. Fosterville Gold Mine is operated by Canadian-based mining company Agnico Eagle and is one of Greater Bendigo's major employers. According to the mine's operators, the expansion will boost the local economy by $1.3 billion over the next decade and increase its workforce to more than 1,000 workers, from around 800. "We are pleased to have received the minister's decision on the EES for the sustained operations project," a mine spokesperson said in a statement. Some residents broke down as they told last year's seven-week public inquiry about living near the mine. They detailed concerns about their health and the environment, and the intrusion of noise, dust and vibrations on their homes in recent years. According to the mine's proposal, about 250 residential properties may sustain "cosmetic damage" from the largest predicted seismic event in the next decade. A noise nuisance case brought by two Axedale residents against the mine is set to go to trial in Victoria's Supreme Court later this year. There were also hundreds of submissions in support of the mine, including from workers and their families. Many community groups and event committees also told the inquiry they relied on funding through the mine's grant programs.
