Resources Victoria has approved the construction of a small test pit for the Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project.
Gippsland Critical Minerals' exploration Work Plan has been approved for one of their two Retention Licence areas at the Fingerboards site near Glenaladale, 20km northwest of Bairnsdale.
Gippsland Critical Minerals will use the Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit to refine operational methods and rehabilitation strategies to inform a modified Fingerboards project.
The modified project will be referred to Minister for Planning for a decision on whether an environment effects statement (EES) is required.
In November 2021, following a rigorous EES process, the Minister for Planning's assessment concluded that the original Fingerboards project would have unacceptable environmental impacts.
In 2024, Resources Victoria renewed two Retention Licences at the Fingerboards site with strict conditions for Gippsland Critical Minerals to meet as they rescope the project in response to the previous EES outcome.
The mining and rehabilitation demonstration project is scheduled to run for around seven months, starting with site mobilisation and pit construction in early 2026.
The demonstration pit will encompass an area measuring roughly 170 metres in length, 55 metres in width and 21.6 metres in depth.
As an exploration project, mineral sands ore will be extracted solely for testing purposes and will not be sold. Mining is not permitted under exploration or retention licences.
Attribute quotes to Resources Victoria Director of Regulatory Operations Laura Helm
"The demonstration pit fulfils a condition of Gippsland Critical Minerals Retention Licence that will address key knowledge gaps identified about the project following the previous EES process."
"We will monitor activities closely at the Fingerboards site - any failure to meet licence conditions, which includes adherence with the newly approved exploration Work Plan, could lead to one or both retention licences being cancelled."
