DRUNG and St Helens Plains residents have vowed to do whatever it takes to stop a proposed mineral sands mine in the area.
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Mining company Australian Zircon has proposed the WIM150 Mineral Sands Project at Drung, a 12,850-hectare mine that will target heavy minerals including zircon.
St Helens Plains farmer Keith Fischer said the 10 landholders directly affected by the first stage of the mine were against it.
"We've got together and decided we all don't want the mine to come," he said.
"We have put up signs in the area to express our concerns and we have a solicitor in Melbourne directing us on what action we should take.
"We will continue to fight whatever way we can."
Mr Fischer said lots of landholders could lose their land if the mine went ahead.
He said his main concern was the effect the mine might have on Taylors Lake.
"Australian Zircon is planning to mine very close to the lake," he said.
"The bottom of the lake is part of the sand deposit and I fear the contamination that could happen from mining and disturbing the soil," he said.
"I have land nearby, which had some of the best grain producing soil in the region on it.
"Because of the direction of the lake's bank, the soil has ended up being salt affected.
"If products can travel across to my low-lying land, they could possibly go across to the lake."
Mr Fischer said the community had spoken to Australian Zircon about these concerns.
"They feel our concerns are not valid," he said.
Australian Zircon WIM150 project manager Andrew Reeves said the company was working hard to complete its Environment Effects Statement, which would be submitted to government for consideration.
"We have been working on the statement for some time, and have undertaken comprehensive studies on all aspects of the environment," he said.
"This includes the natural environment - flora, fauna, land rehabilitation, water and air as well as roads, buildings and community assets like Taylors Lake."
Mr Reeves said Australian Zircon recognised the vital importance of protecting environmental assets and community infrastructure.
"Australian Zircon has made significant changes to the WIM150 project plan to take into consideration concerns raised by stakeholders and landowners," he said.
"These concerns included the effect on Taylors Lake and Pine Lake.
"The WIM150 Project plan has been carefully developed to ensure there will be no adverse effects to the use of Taylors Lake and Pine Lake."
Mr Reeves said there was a substantial buffer between mining operations and the lakes.
"We propose to use modern mineral sands mining, processing and rehabilitation processes," he said.
"We have also undertaken comprehensive studies on ground water and surface water and are working with GWMWater and the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority to ensure no negative effects on the water quality and supply of the region.
"I would encourage the community to look at our website for more information or call in to see our community liaison officer Gail Horsted, in our Sloss Street, Horsham, office."
Mr Reeves said the company aimed to have its Environment Effects Statement ready for public display in mid-2015.
He said the proposed mine would create more than 500 jobs during its 60 year life span.
"The mineral sands extraction operations, which are less intrusive than traditional open cut mines, will be scheduled so that only 500 hectares will be affected at any given time - the equivalent of around two normal-sized paddocks," he said.