Depending on who you speak to, Victoria’s largest gold mine is either a good corporate citizen or a bad neighbour.
Fosterville Gold Mine, 20 kilometres east of Bendigo, is one step closer to expanding its operations after the state government gave the green light to a proposed expansion last week.
Parent company Agnico Eagle said the expansion would future-proof the mine for the next decade and support 1,000 jobs.
Fosterville plans to extend underground operations and infrastructure it needs to keep mining for at least another 10 years. (Facebook)
The Bendigo region has come to rely on the mine, not just for employment but for the $2 million it has returned to the community through sponsorships, donations and grants.
But the expansion has split opinion in the town.
Some nearby residents and environmental advocates say they feel shocked and let down, while others are thrilled the mine will remain a fixture in the region.
And now all eyes are on the Commonwealth to find out whether it will give the final tick of approval required for the mine’s expansion to proceed.
Plea to the premier
Residents and environmental advocates oppose the mine’s expansion with fears for the health of the Campaspe River. (ABC News: Anna McGuinness)
Hydrologist Phillip Macumber said he felt hopeful after meeting with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, but was left shocked when her government approved Fosterville’s expansion days later.
Dr Macumber reviewed the mine’s plans for the Save the Campaspe lobby group and was less than impressed.
“It runs counter to everything I’ve done and known in my hydrogeological experience over the last 50 years,” he said.
“The present way they’re operating [the mine] is contaminating the river, I’ve got no question in my own mind, with arsenic and antimony.
“What makes it so frustrating is it’s so blatantly obvious, but where are the people stepping up? Standing up?
“Not in government. They don’t appear to be.”
The mine says the expansion will boost the local economy by $1.3 billion over 10 years. (Supplied)
Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has raised concerns about the mine’s groundwater modelling and monitoring, concerns backed by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny.
The minister ultimately deemed the mine’s groundwater impacts acceptable if mitigation measures were properly carried out.
A Fosterville Gold Mine spokesperson said the environmental effects statement (EES) was a rigorous, transparent process that gave all stakeholders, including Dr Macumber, a chance to be heard.
Putting profits first
Community group Save the Campaspe said the Victorian government had dismissed the concerns by approving the expansion.
“There’s no doubt this mine expansion will negatively impact our families, homes and the Campaspe River,” the group said.
“This decision is shocking and deeply unjust, sending a troubling message to our children about what we value.“
The mine’s EES revealed the expansion would result in habitat loss for several threatened species including the critically endangered swift parrot, and vulnerable ecosystems such as box ironbark forest.
Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny has given the mine’s expansion the green light. (ABC News)
The planning minister’s assessment found that potential impacts could be acceptably managed, provided that strengthened environmental management practices and amended mitigation measures were adopted.
“We’re making sure safeguards are in place to protect the environment while also creating more jobs and boosting Bendigo’s economy,” she said.
Victorian National Parks Association conservation campaigner Ben Gill said the approval ignored expert environmental advice.
“It feels like profits are being put ahead of science, environment, and community wellbeing,”
Mr Gill said.
A Victorian government spokesperson said the EES was a “robust and transparent” process.
“[It gives the] community confidence that projects balance the needs of communities, environmental protection and economic growth,” the spokesperson said.
Support ‘paramount’ for community
On the other side of the fence are a number of workers, their families, and community groups that support and rely on the mine.
Fosterville is one of the highest-grade gold mining operations in the world and the largest gold producer in the state, according to the Victorian government.
Bendigo real estate agent Brad Hinton is on the committee for Bendigo’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, a prostate cancer fundraising event.
He said the committee was “ecstatic” the mine, a major sponsor, was a step closer to another 10 years of operation.
“It’s paramount I think as a community to have such large contributors and we are very, very pleased that they’ve been given the green light,”
Mr Hinton said.
The mine is a major sponsor of Bendigo’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch. (Supplied: AJ Taylor)
Mr Hinton said it was rare for the mine not to be on board supporting events, sporting clubs or charitable efforts in the community.
Fosterville Gold Mine said it had invested more than $2 million across sponsorships, donations, scholarships and community grants in Greater Bendigo.
Agnico Eagle Australian operations vice-president Ion Hann said the state government’s endorsement would allow that support to continue.
Fosterville Gold Mine supports sport and community groups in the Bendigo region. (ABC News: Anna McGuinness)
“We’re grateful for the engagement throughout the EES process and remain committed to responsible mining and transparent communication,” Mr Hann said.
The state government said the expansion would deliver a $1.3 billion boost to the Bendigo region over the next decade.
After receiving state government approval the mine’s plans will need to receive mining and EPA approvals, as well as approval from the Commonwealth government.