Miner to share Fosterville plans

PLANS for continued operation of the Fosterville Gold Mine, near Bendigo, over the next 10 years will be outlined at a public information event on Wednesday 31 July.

Agnico Eagle, which operates the mine, is preparing for the next decade of mine activity through a Sustained Operations Project.

As part of that process, the mine is required to prepare an Environment Effects Statement, which is on public exhibition.

While there will be no change to existing methods of mining or processing, production rates or waste management, the company proposes to extend underground mining operations to the north and south, extend four of its existing open cut pits and build two new above-ground tailings storage facilities.

No new open pits are planned, and truck routes to and from the mine will remain unchanged.

Other identified needs include a brine evaporation pond, haul roads and two additional fan-powered ventilation shafts.

The company also intends to continue land rehabilitation to “the highest standard.”

The mine, which employs more than 800 people, has been operating since 2005.

In 2021, former Planning Minister Richard Wynne said an EES needed to be prepared because of a potential for a range of “significant environmental effects” of the operations plan.

At the time, he said they included possible effects on native vegetation and biodiversity values, surface water and groundwater, amenity and landscape values, and Aboriginal cultural heritage values.

“An integrated assessment is necessary to ensure the range of likely adverse effects and related uncertainties are sufficiently investigated,” he said.

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation has been among organisations represented on an EES technical reference group.

Agnico Eagle has set up a virtual consultation room on its Fosterville Mine website to provide interested people with information about the SOP.

It can be found at fgm.consultation.ai and features an opportunity to leave feedback.

The public information event will take place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at MacKenzie Quarters in MacKenzie Street, Bendigo.

Registrations can be made via Humanitix.