June 22nd, 2024Your say…
Mining speculation threat to proven mineral water wealth
Large parts of Central Victoria are covered with mining exploration licences with potential to impact your home, property, our environment, our groundwater and waterways.
If you are in any doubt of the potential impact search out the Ballarat or Bendigo deep gold mine sites, check for the waste tailings dams, the huge pumping gear and then you might check what neighbours are experiencing.
For over a year local residents of Daylesford have attempted to alert the state government of the risk to our natural mineral water should a deep mine ever proceed anywhere within the groundwater aquifer.
A modern deep mine must de-water vast areas of underground groundwater to operate. De-watering will not only impact the flow and formation of mineral water but will increase acidity and activate the release of sulphates and heavy metals.
Over and again we are reminded that any risk will have to be managed somehow. A mine probably will never get off the ground. If there seems a risk then the mining operator will need to provide professional evidence that risks can be managed.
Not very comforting, when you understand how much the economy and employment of our area is underpinned by the culture of natural mineral water, or when all government departments suggest Earth Resources will ensure the mineral water is protected and they in turn call us to say it is nothing to do with them.
Our local MP Mary-Anne Thomas has still not found time to meet concerned residents.
We have several worrying concerns including that the local mining exploration company has excised parts of Daylesford and Hepburn Spring from their licence but it does nothing to protect mineral water in their target areas.
There is still a hold-up with MP Steve Dimopoulos approving the new Mineral Water Management plan. Perhaps this is because it mentions risks from deep mining.
The government states they are completely altering the new national park area in our region that did prevent any deep mining while state and federal governments are promoting the mining industry and the price of gold is ever increasing.
Natural mineral water is a resource already but is not given a financial value by our state government.
Potential impacts on iconic local mineral water springs are among concerns being raised over proposed gold mining exploration in the Daylesford area.
From: Gary Lawrence, Don’t Undermine Daylesford
