Stawell Gold Mines remain committed to open-cut at Big Hill

The State Government will determine how the revised Big Hill Enhanced Development Project will be assessed, with advice to be provided to Stawell Gold Mines early in 2015.

New Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio told the Mail-Times last week the proposal rejected by former Planning Minister Matthew Guy posed unacceptable health risks.

Mr Guy rejected the proposal in October after a panel advised him there would be serious health risks to Stawell residents if the project went ahead.

Stawell Gold Mines general manager Troy Cole said the company remained committed to the project.

‘‘The government has raised several observations, however primarily, the project is required to consider improved buffering, further noise reduction and further engineering controls around dust mitigation,’’ he said.

‘‘We are continuing to work on initiatives that will address these areas and contribute to a position of improved health and a reduction in associated risk conditions.’’

Mr Cole said voluntary redundancy, restructuring, wage cuts and further cost reduction activities had occurred in the wake of the original proposal’s rejection.

‘‘We have operated an underground mine at Stawell for more than 30 years and been a major provider of employment and economic benefit to the community throughout this period,’’ he said.

‘‘The mine has employed 215 people on average during the past 10 years as well as generating employment and income for other businesses in the wider region.

‘‘However, the gold resource supporting the current underground mining operation has been stretched and continuity of operations has been challenged.’’

Mr Cole said altering the project would add significant cost.

‘‘Because we believe this project to be so important to both Stawell and Stawell Gold Mines, we have developed a proposal that goes above and beyond best practice to mitigate impacts, and proposed a range of management and operating measures that have been benchmarked as leading practice,’’ he said. 

‘‘The proposed measures add considerable cost to the project but endeavour to achieve a high level of compliance with regulations.

‘‘Considering the significant economic benefits the project will bring to Stawell and surrounding areas, including 80 to 100 direct jobs and their multiplying effect, we believe the level of associated amenity impacts to be within acceptable limits.’’