VHM's Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project granted 20-year licence
Craige Kennedy is one of many farmers against VHM's mineral sands and rare earths mine going ahead. (Supplied/ABC News: Francesco Salvo)
In short:
A 20-year licence has been granted to a controversial mineral sands and rare earth minerals mine in northern Victoria.
The announcement follows an independent inquiry receiving 179 submissions, the majority of which opposed the project.
What's next?
Drilling can start once the state government approves a work plan that complies with any conditions imposed by the regulator.
The Victorian government has given mining company VHM a 20-year licence for its Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project near Swan Hill.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action released a statement saying the approval followed a thorough assessment of the miner's application.
Victoria's Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the environment effects statement (EES) for the project in December.
VHM is also licensed to explore thousands of additional hectares' worth of land in the area. (Supplied)
VHM plans to extract mineral sands and rare earth materials such as zircon, rutile, leucoxene and ilmenite at the site.
Those materials are used to produce a range of products such as mobile phones, batteries and medical devices.
An independent inquiry into the mine held in March 2024 received 179 submissions, the majority of which were opposed to the project.
VHM is licensed to operate on 1,500 hectares of land near Swan Hill. (ABC News: Scott Jewell)
'Scarred forever'
Grain farmer and secretary of Mine Free Mallee Farms Craige Kennedy said the community felt devastated and vulnerable following the announcement.
He said he was concerned about possible health implications from contaminated dust and water blowing onto neighbouring properties or seeping into groundwater.
"We just feel that hasn't been given enough weight and the conditions of monitoring these things will just be too late," Mr Kennedy said.
"The damage will be done by the time they pick up these problems.
"Agricultural land will be scarred forever."
Mine Free Mallee Farms has been a staunch opponent of the project. (ABC News: Francesco Salvo)
'Thorough assessment'
Resources Victoria's executive director of regulatory operations Chris Webb said the government's assessment focused on whether VHM could deliver what was set out in its proposal.
"Following this thorough assessment of their application, VHM have been awarded the right to exclusively access minerals under the state's mining legislation," Mr Webb said in a statement.
Loading...Mining can start once the state government approves a work plan that adheres to any conditions imposed by the regulator.
VHM is required to continue engaging the community for the duration of its licence and to give the regulator quarterly reports on its responses to feedback and complaints.
VHM has been contacted for comment.