We are a local group opposed to destructive mining projects in the Nambucca Valley catchment area with the aim to protect land, water, agriculture, community & industries. www.lockthenambuccavalley.com.au
Precious Metal Resources (PMR), a Chinese backed company, now has its 2 year Exploration Licence from the NSW Department of Trade and Investment (EL 8016) to investigate the economic potential for antimony and gold across a 330 sq/km area of the upper catchment of the Nambucca River, including: Taylor’s Arm, South Arm, McHugh’s Creek, North Arm and Buccrabendinni Creek and is expected to soon commence exploration activities in these areas. Our main concern relates to the very real threat of arsenic and other heavy metal pollution of the river system and floodplains, as has happened in the Macleay, with the inevitable significant impacts to our local economy and environment. Postal: PO Box 31, Macksville NSW 2447 Secretary – Doug Blackwell email: [email protected]
Why are we alarmed about antimony mining?
In Nov 2012 a Group1 mineral exploration license was granted to Precious Metal Resources Pty Ltd to explore for Antimony and Gold in a 330 sq/k area of the Nambucca Valley. Potential problems for Water Catchment & public health. There is a high degree of risk that during a high-rainfall event leaching of arsenic, cyanide and other chemicals will occur, which could pollute the Nambucca Valley catchment area and therefore the PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY. This could become a major public health issue!
Loss of Real Estate Values: There is growing evidence across regional Australia that once mining operations commence in a community there is an immediate & drastic drop in land and real estate values. Legal costs and disruption for land owners. There is potential for land owners to end up in expensive legal cases and have the trouble and expense of fighting to keep the amenity of their land free from mining impacts.
Negative Impacts on Economic Development: Agricultural produce industries (vegetable crops, meat, dairy) will be totally threatened if toxicity is found in the produce. Downstream, the oyster industry would be at risk. Under such a cloud many of these industries will cease to attract investment and economic growth in these industries will decline. Precious Metal Resources is partly foreign-owned. Most of the mineral resources are being traded on the stock exchange as a commodity that attracts mostly offshore investment so there is little economic benefit to the local economy, especially as fly-in/ fly-out workers are likely to be used.
Next Meeting Date: The next meeting of Lock the Nambucca Valley is on this Saturday the 7th Dec at 10am at the Tewinga Community Centre (2NVR Radio). All members are encouraged to attend.