The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) believes the South Australian Liberal Party’s proposed independent vulnerability assessment on rare earths mining in the Limestone Coast is a “direct attack” on the industry.
If elected, South Australia’s liberal party will prioritise the assessment into the impacts of rare earth strip mining on the Limestone Coast within its first 100 days.
AMEC opposes the proposal as it duplicates the state’s existing environmental approvals framework.
All exploration and mining projects are already subject to comprehensive environmental, social and economic assessments at state and commonwealth levels. These processes require detailed studies by specialist consultants and mandatory community consultation.
The association says the policy would send a negative signal to investors at a time when rare earths and other critical minerals are in high global demand.
According to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ (DISR) latest Resources and Energy quarterly report, Australia’s forecasted increased export earnings – valued at $5.9 billion for other critical minerals – is driven by manganese and rare earths.
CEO Warren Pearce says the liberal party appears to be unaware that a plan for environmental protection and rehabilitation is mandatory for exploration and mining projects.
“This framework is based on science and not politics,” Pearce says.
“This is a cynical vote-buying exercise, rather than a serious policy proposal from a party aspiring to govern.
“It will create further concern for investors in South Australia’s mining industry, and follows on from the liberal’s decision to torpedo last year’s proposed mining act reforms that sought to provide greater certainty for mining investment in South Australia.”
AMEC has invited the South Australian Shadow Mines Minister to meet with members to hear directly from those on the ground about how the legislative framework guides all development in the state.
The association is also continuing to cal for bi-partisan support of an updated multiple land use framework to support co-existence of industries including mining, renewables, tourism, forestry and agriculture in the Limestone Coast and broader South Australia.
Mining.com.au reached out to the South Australian Liberal Party to comment and did not receive a response before going to press.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: AMEC
