Mineral Licence Application
Current Applications
2021, March 23
Exploration Licence 007324 (EL007324)
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for an Exploration Licence, EL007324. The southern part of the application area is located approximately 2 km west of Stawell and extends to the northwest for approximately 30 km in Western Victoria.
This licence will enable continual exploration, targeting a known mineralisation within the area that could service the future mine plan from existing infrastructure. The program of works is proposed to progress works on these known resources to determine the mineralisation extent. Community engagement will be conducted through all stages of exploration.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
The below exploration program is proposed for Years 1 to 5:
- Year 1:
- Community consultation; desktop studies; geophysics; geochemistry/mapping and drilling/assay.
- Year 2:
- Community consultation; desktop studies and drilling/assay.
- Years 3 to 5:
- Community consultation; desktop studies and drilling/assay of priority areas.
2021, March 23
Exploration Licence 007325 (EL007325)
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for an Exploration Licence, EL007325. The southern part of the application area is located immediately west of Stawell and extends to the northwest and north for approximately 18 km in Western Victoria.
This licence will enable continual exploration, targeting a known mineralisation within the area that could service the future mine plan from existing infrastructure. The program of works is proposed to progress works on these known resources to determine the mineralisation extent. Community engagement will be conducted through all stages of exploration.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
The below exploration program is proposed for Years 1 to 5:
- Year 1:
- Community consultation; desktop studies; geophysics; geochemistry/mapping and drilling/assay.
- Year 2:
- Community consultation; desktop studies; geochemistry/mapping and drilling/assay.
- Years 3 to 5:
- Community consultation; desktop studies and drilling/assay of priority areas.
Systems for managing impacts of the proposed work on the community (including landowners and occupiers) and the environment
Stawell Gold Mines acknowledges that effective environmental management and socially responsible practices are essential to the success of all aspects of it operations. The Environmental and Social Responsibility policies guiding Stawell Gold Mines operations are provided below:
Potential impacts associated with Stawell Gold Mines operation are managed via an Environmental Management Plan. Stawell Gold Mines Environmental Management Plan provides a practical framework for the implementation of appropriate measures to avoid, mitigate and manage potential environment and community impacts.
Stawell Gold Mines Environmental Management Plan aims to:
- Assist in achieving compliance with applicable legislation and other requirements, including environmental objectives, commitments and licence conditions;
- Provide clear and concise procedures for the avoidance, mitigation and management of potential environmental risks associated with Stawell Gold Mines operations;
- Establish and document roles and responsibilities with respect to environmental management;
- Detail environmental monitoring, reporting and auditing requirements;
- Establish well-defined performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of control measures and evaluate environmental management outcomes; and
- Develop a process for continuous improvement of environmental management for Stawell Gold Mines operations.
The environmental aspects addressed within Stawell Gold Mines Environmental Management Plan include:
- Surface water and groundwater;
- Air quality;
- Noise;
- Air blast and ground vibration;
- Waste;
- Hazardous materials;
- Land;
- Traffic;
- Aesthetics;
- Heritage;
- Rehabilitation; and
- Community.
Stawell Gold Mines also implements and maintains a range of management tools and procedures designed to achieve compliance with the applicable statutory requirements. These procedures are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they reflect best practice and are consistent with current operations.
Meeting obligations under section 39A of the MRSDA to consult with the community (including landowners and occupiers)
Stawell Gold Mines has been operating in its current location for more than 30 years, with underground and open pit mining operations. All operations are undertaken with due consideration of the immediate neighbours and the community as a whole, to ensure potential community impacts are managed appropriately.
Community consultation associated with Stawell Gold Mines operations is managed through the site Community Engagement Plan. Stawell Gold Mines is committed to communicating clearly, honestly, and regularly with the community in which it operates. Consultation methods adopted to achieve this objective include:
- Direct contact (either in person, via phone, email or mail, as appropriate);
- Local newspaper publications;
- Community newsletter;
- Open days;
- Information sessions;
- Annual Environment and Community report; and
- Environmental Review Committee meetings.
Stawell Gold Mines also implements a community enquiries procedure, which provides the community with the opportunity to provide feedback or raise grievances regarding Stawell Gold Mines operations.
To get in touch, please visit the Contact Us page.
Objections
Any person may object to a licence being granted by:
- Put the objection in writing; and
- Include the grounds on which it is made.
Objections must be lodged within 21 days after the latest date on which the application was advertised and can be lodged online or posted to:
The Minister for Resources,
c/- Manager Licensing,
Earth Resources Regulation,
GPO Box 2392,
MELBOURNE VIC 3000.
It is recommended that objections are lodged online to ensure timely consideration: https://rram.force.com/ObjectionSubmission
Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phoning the Earth Resources Information Centre on 1300 366 356.
Other Statutory Requirements
(a) Subject to other statutory requirements being satisfied, a retention licence, if granted, entitles the holder of the licence to retain rights to a mineral resource, and explore and carry out other work to establish the economic viability of mining, but does not entitle the holder to undertake mining.
(b) Further information regarding the statutory requirements that must be complied with prior to work being undertaken on a licence including landowner and occupier consent requirements is available on the department’s Community & Land Use page: https://earthresources.vic.gov.au/community-and-land-use
Where is the licence in relation to where I live?
Earth Resources Victoria provides this website to allow Victorians to check for any mining licence types in their area.
Simply type in your address and hit “Search”.
What is Exploration?
Previous Applications
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for an Exploration Licence, EL007479. This area is approximately 2 km west of Cressy, extending westwards to Foxhow in South Western Victoria.
Existing data of the area suggests there is a geological anomaly in the region. Stawell Gold Mines is interested in investigating this anomaly further and determine if there are any potential gold resources.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
A four Phase exploration program is proposed for Years 1 to 5:
- Phase 1 (Year 1):
- Office studies, community and geophysics
- Collation of all previous open file exploration results / interpretation and review of all modern geological evaluation and incorporate into company database, design follow‐up mapping / potential geochemistry / drilling programs.
As a new area to exploration which is adjacent to significant environmental zones, significant focus will be placed on community liaison.
Reinterpretation of existing regional data – particularly gravity data. Test lines of gravity to validate and improve accuracy on target depths.
- Collation of all previous open file exploration results / interpretation and review of all modern geological evaluation and incorporate into company database, design follow‐up mapping / potential geochemistry / drilling programs.
- Office studies, community and geophysics
- Phase 2 (Year 2):
- Geophysics and geochemistry program
- 3D gravity and magnetics survey, potentially other depth-appropriate geophysics and geochemistry.
- Geophysics and geochemistry program
- Phase 3 (Year 3):
- Follow up on geophysics/geochemistry and drilling
- Any required infill or step-out geophysics.
Drilling of highest order identified targets and downhole geophysics to vector off-hole potential and refine interpretation and targeting.
- Any required infill or step-out geophysics.
- Follow up on geophysics/geochemistry and drilling
- Phase 4 (Years 4 and 5):
- RC/Diamond drilling program
- Success-based RC/Diamond Drilling Program testing of additional determined priority targets to confirm models, techniques, ore continuity and gold grades (if intercepted) can sustain on-going, geophysically-driven deep-ore system exploration through Year 6+ and have reasonable expectations of delivering a defensible mineral resource.
Includes any required progressive rehabilitation from previous works.
- Success-based RC/Diamond Drilling Program testing of additional determined priority targets to confirm models, techniques, ore continuity and gold grades (if intercepted) can sustain on-going, geophysically-driven deep-ore system exploration through Year 6+ and have reasonable expectations of delivering a defensible mineral resource.
- RC/Diamond drilling program
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for an Exploration Licence, EL007478. This area is in Cathcart, extending northwards towards Norval and approximately 4km west of Ararat in South Western Victoria.
This licence will enable continual exploration, targeting a known mineralisation within the area that could service the future mine plan from existing infrastructure. The program of works is proposed to progress works on these known resources to determine the mineralisation extent. Community engagement will be conducted through all stages of exploration.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
A four Phase exploration program is proposed for Years 1 to 5:
- Phase 1 (Year 1):
- Office studies
- Collation of all previous open file exploration results / interpretation and review of all modern geological evaluation and incorporate into company database, design follow‐up mapping / geochemistry / drilling programs. Reinterpretation of existing regional data. Review of historic data. Rebuild of known mineralisation from historic maps, plans and other sources.
- Office studies
- Phase 2 (Year 2):
- Geological mapping/geochemistry program
- Rock chip / soil / roadside mapping program and IP to assist drill target development. Using refined geology mapping conduct geochemistry bracketing key contact zones. Define drill targets for follow‐up exploration with Work Planning and site preparation approvals.
- Geological mapping/geochemistry program
- Phase 3 (Year 3):
- Follow up on geochemistry/mapping
- Geophysics or appropriate techniques to consolidate identified targets, establish target depths in prep for drill proposals, workplans and execution.
- Follow up on geochemistry/mapping
- Phase 4 (Years 4 and 5):
- RC/Diamond drilling program
- Scout drilling of the Stawell Zone at anomalies identified as potential drill targets. May require permitting, cultural heritage and flora/fauna assessments, vegetation offset, supervision, field staff, track construction and reporting, nested into larger programs planned and proposed for other tenements held by the company around Stawell.
- RC/Diamond drilling program
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for an Exploration Licence, EL007419. This area approximately 20 km east of Horsham and 3 km south of Murtoa in Western Victoria.
This licence will enable continual exploration, targeting a known mineralisation within the area that could service the future mine plan from existing infrastructure. The program of works is proposed to progress works on these known resources to determine the mineralisation extent. Community engagement will be conducted through all stages of exploration.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
A four Phase exploration program is proposed for Years 1 to 2:
- Phase 1:
- Office studies
- Collation of all previous open file exploration results / interpretation and review of all modern geological evaluation and incorporate into company database, design follow-up mapping / geochemistry / drilling programs, community consultation and land access agreements.
- Office studies
- Phase 2:
- Geological mapping/geochemistry program/regional geophysics
- Ionic leach soil / Rock chip / roadside mapping program / Airborne VTEM and possible ground IP to assist drill target development.
- Geological mapping/geochemistry program/regional geophysics
- Phase 3:
- Regional geochemistry program
- Using refined geology mapping and geochemistry results of the initial program, complete infill detailed soil geochemical programs. Define drill targets for follow-up exploration with Work Planning and site preparation approvals.
- Regional geochemistry program
- Phase 4:
- Aircore/Diamond drilling program
- Scout drilling of the Stawell Zone at anomalies identified as potential drill targets. May require permitting, cultural heritage and flora/fauna assessments, vegetation offset, supervision, field staff, track construction and reporting.
- Aircore/Diamond drilling program
The following will likely occur in Years 3 to 5:
- Infill drilling
- Resource estimation
- Drill density
- Metallurgical studies
- Geotechnical drill
- Environmental assessment
- Preliminary mine design studies
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for a Retention Licence, RL007284. This area is adjacent to the eastern and northern boundary of the current mining licence ML5260. This area is approximately 2 km east of the Stawell township, extending to the north of Stawell and also to the southeast of Stawell, in Western Victoria.
Three resource targets have been identified through exploration that could service the future mine plan from existing infrastructure. The program of works is proposed to progress works on these known resources to determine ore body size and feasibility of mining. All exploration is proposed to be undertaken underground and community engagement will be conducted through all stages of exploration.
Retention Licence
A Retention Licence is an optional licence between the exploration and mining stages. It gives the licensee (licence holder) tenure over the land before progressing to a mining licence.
The Retention Licence allows the holder to undertake resource definition works (drilling and metallurgical test work) and feasibility studies.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
Years 1 to 2 will focus on two of the three potential resources (Aurora A and Dukes) not limited to:
- Access;
- Dewatering;
- Diamond drilling;
- Logging and assays;
- Rehabilitation; and
- Resource modelling
For Aurora A and Dukes, Years 3 to 4 will focus on:
- Work Plan development;
- Engineering design and schedule;
- Feasibility report; and
- Partial Mining Licence application.
Meanwhile, for Northgate Gift, Development will commence.
Years 5 to 8 will solely be focused on Northgate Gift through:
- Development;
- Diamond drilling;
- Logging and assays;
- Resource modelling;
- Feasibility report;
- Engineering design and schedule;
- Mine design; and
- Work Plan development.
Years 9 to 10 will consist of continuing on with Work Plan development, Planning Approvals and Mining Licence Application.
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for EL007182 which relates approximately 16 km north of Stawell in Western Victoria.
Areas of geological mineralisation have been identified within the application area which Stawell Gold Mines are interested in investigating further. Community engagement will be undertaken through all stages of exploration.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
A four Phase exploration program is proposed for Years 1 to 2.
- Phase 1:
- Office studies.
- Phase 2
- Geological mapping/geochemistry program.
- This may include ionic leach soil; rock chip and public roadside mapping.
- Geological mapping/geochemistry program.
- Phase 3
- Regional geochemistry program.
- Using refined geology mapping and geochemistry results of the initial program, complete infill detailed soil geochemical programs.
- Regional geochemistry program.
- Phase 4
- RC/Diamond drilling program.
- Selection of specific locations for scout drilling of the anomalies identified. Landholder access agreements, permits, flora/fauna assessments will need to be completed prior to commencement of this Phase.
- RC/Diamond drilling program.
During Years 3 to 5, infill drilling and resource estimation is likely to occur.
Alternative Maps:
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for EL007116 which relates to the localities of: east and south of Stawell, extending southwards to the west of Ararat in Western Victoria.
Areas of geological anomalies have been identified within the application area which Stawell Gold Mines are interested in investigating further. Community engagement will be undertaken through all stages of exploration.
The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities.
Proposed Program of Work
A four Phase exploration program is proposed for Years 1 to 2.
- Phase 1:
- Office studies.
- Phase 2
- Geological mapping/geochemistry program.
- Phase 3
- Regional geochemistry program.
- Phase 4
- RC/Diamond drilling program.
During Years 3 to 5, infill drilling and resource estimation is likely to occur.
Overview
Stawell Gold Mines is in the process of applying for RL007051 which relates to the localities of: Northwest of Stawell, Germania and Glenorchy in Western Victoria.
Numerous exploration activities have taken place to date in this area by Stawell Gold Mines under Exploration Licence 3008 (EL3008) which was first granted on 16 December 1988. For exploration activities to continue within the outlines area, Stawell Gold Mines requires EL007051. The granting of this licence does not allow any mining activities. Community engagement will be undertaken through all stages of exploration.
Proposed program of work
Three main prospect areas were identified within the RL007051 corridor and will be the focus over the life of the licence. Yearly proposed activities are summarised below:
- Year 1
- Community and landholder consultation.
- Soil testing of conceptual targets, infill soils work following on from 2012 works.
- Aircore and diamond testing of existing targets from 2012 works.
- First drilling into existing inferred resource.
- Year 2
- Further drill testing of resource with intention to extend known resources to depth.
- Further follow up drill testing of successful targeting strategies from Year 1 works.
- Years 3 to 6
- Resource drilling and target testing.
- Year 7
- Resource modelling and definition.
- Pre-feasibility studies.
- Year 8
- Pre-feasibility studies.
- Mine design.
- Year 9
- Mine design.
- Stakeholder engagement.
- Feasibility study.
- Environmental and social impact assessments.
- Year 10
- Feasibility study.
- Environmental and social impact assessments.