Palerang Council has unanimously resolved to share, with Eurobodalla Council, the cost of a consultant to assess the processing of gold with sodium cyanide at Dargues Gold Mine.
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A contingent from Majors Creek was among the public gallery at the Palerang monthly meeting last Thursday to protest against the modification to the proposal, including some local children who showed a moving video they had produced on the natural environment downstream of the mine site.
Judy Knowles said “for many people there is a real sense that there are wolves at the front door” and that the company had “already shown that they are not beyond error.”
“Too much is at risk now” she added. “We have a moral obligation to those who live downstream of us.”
Brian Sanderson questioned “Why should council have more confidence (in the company) than the market. Its shares are at rock bottom. It’s not certain who will operate the mine.”
The Council resolution came from a late Mayoral Minute distributed at the meeting.
The Recommendation was: “That Council approve expenditure of up to $10,000 to, in collaboration with Eurobodalla Council, engage a consultant to assist with the preparation of a submission in response to the application by Unity Mining to permit on-site ore processing at the Dargue’s Gold Mine at Majors Creek.”
Cr Morrison asked Matt Darwon of the Majors Creek Landscape Guardians “do you agree with the mayoral minute?” Mr Darwon replied “Yes completely, but it is a two tiered thing - there’s issue with regard to environment and economics, and then the fact that the community is against these modifications. It’s a completely different thing now. We will be affected on a multitude of levels. We want you (Council) to be able to represent us and say the community doesn’t want this.”
The report said “The exact details of the proposal, and the assessment of its environmental impact, will not be known until the details are released for public comment, currently though to be 13 April 2015. The mandatory exhibition period for such a modification, however, may be as little as two weeks.”
The consultant to be engaged is GHD Pty Ltd. The project manager is Dr Peter Beck, a geologist and hydrogeochemist with over 25 years’ experience in the assessment, management and remediation of environmental impacts and contaminated land… Dr Beck has previously provided advice to Eurobodalla Council on the Dargues Gold Mine project and has over 10 years’ experience advising and auditing mining, and industrial facilities and waste disposal sites.
Based on current expectations of the nature of the modification proposal, GHD has given a fee estimate of $18,750 with an upper bound of $25,550 and a lower bound of $11,150, qualified by “The proposed budget is for the review and reporting only. Any analysis or meetings required would require additional budget”.
Eurobodalla Council has approached Palerang Council with a proposal that Palerang Council contribute 50% of the cost of independent review of the Environmental Assessment, up to a maximum of $10,000.
The report acknowledged that “There is significant concern within the community in the vicinity of the mine in relation to the impact of the proposed consent modification that would see ore processing and the use of sodium cyanide on site. The engagement of an appropriately qualified professional to help assess the analysis of the associated risks presented in the Environmental Assessment when it is released for public comment will demonstrate Council’s commitment to community advocacy in relation to this issue.”
The report continued that “The processing of ore on-site at the Dargues Gold Mine site is a significant deviation from the original consent conditions for the mine. The use of sodium cyanide, and the retention of waste products on-site has the potential to introduce environmental impacts not previously considered.”
Cr Marshall noted that the environmental assessment is expected to go on exhibition on 13 April for two weeks, which means there will be no council meeting around that time.
“The recommendation is silent on council’s involvement on the submission. A two week period is an extremely short turnaround” said Cr Marshall.
The Motion was amended to add “That Council consider the draft submission at an ordinary or extraordinary meeting at a date to be fixed, in Braidwood.”
Cr Cockram said “the idea that we stay together with Eurobodalla is good and we should keep in good contact and assure that we have a united interest.”
