By Lauren Henry

WIM Resource has applied for a mining licence for its Avonbank project – a mine eight kilometres north-east of Horsham.

The Resources Victoria regulator has accepted the application – which marks another step in the statutory process in approving the mine.

A decision is yet to be made granting the mining licence and the public has an opportunity to object or make comment on the application.

It is understood the mining licence application is judged on WIM Resource’s ability to complete the mining project, including its financial position.

The Avonbank project has already progressed through a planning assessment via the Environment Effects Statement, EES, process, which has enabled WIM Resource to prepare and submit its mining licence application.

The Avonbank project is still being reviewed by Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, who must give approval through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Resources Victoria executive director of regulatory operations Chris Webb said the public feedback period had now begun ahead of a final assessment of the licence application. 

“This is the opportunity for us to hear from the community about the Avonbank project – this feedback is an important part of the mining licence assessment,” he said.

“Compared to the previous EES consultation process, this feedback period is focused on whether WIM Resource can deliver what’s set out in their project proposal and whether they should be awarded the right to exclusively access minerals under the state’s mining legislation. 

“The personal details of those submitting feedback will not be made public.”

The Avonbank project plans to mine heavy mineral sands, which include quantities of zircon, titanium and rare earth elements –  all materials in high demand due to being used in a range of products and increasingly for renewable energy infrastructure.

The mining licence is for a mine that spans 3426 hectares over 38 years, and is about 1.3 kilometres northeast of Dooen – with a footprint that is split by the Wimmera Highway.

About one third of the mining licence area falls south of the Wimmera Highway, towards Freds Road, Longerenong, with a majority of the mining area north of the highway to Johns Road.

The mining area includes agricultural land, with many affected landowners already expressing their objection to the proposal.

A group, Mine Free Wimmera Farms, has been established to ramp up its presence in the community, highlighting issues about dust, radiation, water use and environmental impacts, and putting pressure on political leaders to prioritise prime agricultural land. 

The EES process sets out recommendations that could be incorporated into the mining licence, should it be granted. 

Mining is not permitted unless a licence is granted. 

Community comments received during the feedback period will be considered as part of the decision on whether to grant a licence.

The public has 21 days to make a submission to the application – meaning a deadline of April 9.

A further Work Plan, consistent with any findings from the EES, would also need to be approved prior to the start of mining.

The Weekly Advertiser understands other approvals for power and water would also need to be gained before the project can proceed.

Details of the mining licence feedback process, including the exact scope of the feedback being sought and the final deadline for objections, are available at resources.vic.gov.au.

• A classified advertisement with details of the application is on page 39 of The Weekly Advertiser.

The entire March 19, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!