The highly prospective Avonbank critical minerals project in Victoria is one step closer to production.
The Avonbank project plans to mine heavy minerals sands, which include proven quantities of zircon, titanium and rare earth elements. These materials are in high demand due to their use in a range of everyday products and increasingly for renewable energy infrastructure.
Avonbank is the flagship project of WIM Resource, who has established a proven and probable reserve of 311.8 million tonnes (Mt) of mineral sands that underpins a 36-year project life.
To date, WIM has already completed a definitive feasibility study, trial mining via a test pit, produced heavy mineral concentrate, completed rehabilitation trials, and undergone an environment effects statement panel hearing.
The Resources Victoria regulator has now accepted a mining licence application from WIM for the project.
The next stage of Avonbank’s path to production has led it to a period of open consultation which will involve community members surrounding the mine’s planned site (15km from Horsham) will have an opportunity to provide feedback to the state regulator.
“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,” Resources Victoria executive director regulatory operations Chris Webb said.
“Compared to the previous EES exhibition 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. All the details of the Mining Licence feedback process, including the exact scope of the feedback being sought and the final deadline for objections, are available on the Resources Victoria website.
