No gold mining campaign continues

BLACKWOOD was once a hotspot for gold mining, but protesters say those days are behind the area, calling on a mining company to stop exploratory drilling.

In the latest action against gold mining in the Wombat State Forest, the ‘No Wombat Gold’ group held a community protest near Blackwood late last month.

The group was founded in June 2020 by concerned residents, after Currawong Resources began exploratory drilling near Blackwood.

President and CEO of Great Pacific Gold Corp, which owns Currawong Resources, Bryan Slusarchuk, visited the area last month, and No Wombat Gold said they “asked him if he wanted to have a beer”, but received no response.

“We are concerned that mining for gold could even be contemplated in an area that is the head of seven rivers, a water catchment, home to endangered species and a popular tourist destination,” a statement from the group read.

“We have reached out to relevant Ministers who referred us to Earth Resources and mining regulations, with no response about the appropriateness of allowing mining exploration in such a sensitive area.

“The Wombat State Forest is going to become a National Park, however this mining activity is located in the proposed Blackwood Regional Park, and would not be under National Park legislation.”

A Currawong Resources spokesperson confirmed the company was currently drilling at the Comet Prospect, two kilometres northeast of Blackwood in the Wombat State Forest.

“We recognise the environmental values of the Wombat State Forest and use small footprint exploration techniques wherever possible,” the spokesperson said.

“If we do find an economic gold deposit (noting that only about 1 in 1000 exploration projects ultimately proceed to mining), then we would model an underground operation based on the successful Henty gold mine in Tasmania.

“This mine that operates in a World Heritage Area began operation in 1996. Ore processing would likely take place outside the Wombat Forest.

“Our Canadian-based President & CEO, Bryan Slusarchuk, was recently in Australia to speak with investors and inspect the drilling at Comet Prospect.

“Unfortunately, due to the short nature of the visit Mr Slusarchuk was not able to meet with members of the Blackwood community.

“Our Bendigo-based exploration team are regularly at the Comet Prospect and welcome any opportunity to meet with community members and discuss our exploration activities.”

Currawong said the current program will be completed by the middle of the month.