Arabic version: منجم رمال أفونبانك المعدنية يحصل على ترخيص فيكتوريا لمدة 20 عاماً

According to ABC News, Resources Victoria has granted WIM Resource a 20-year mining licence for the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project at Dooen, about 15 kilometres north-east of Horsham in Victoria’s west.

The licence allows the Chinese-backed company to mine heavy mineral sands including zircon, titanium and rare earth elements. The proposed site covers about 3,400 hectares, and WIM Resource plans around-the-clock operations for materials used in technology and renewable-energy infrastructure.

Resources Victoria said it approved the licence after determining the company had an appropriate work program that it could finance and complete. The regulator rejected WIM Resource’s request for a 38-year licence. Mineral-handling procedures, real-time onsite monitoring and operating hours are to be finalised during the work-plan assessment.

WIM Resource said construction could begin in late 2027 and mining could start in 2029, subject to finance and further construction and environmental approvals. The company plans to operate the mine for 36 years and extract 12.75 million tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate.

The project has faced opposition from residents and Horsham Rural City Council. Mayor Brian Klowss said some people in the community were devastated and remained concerned about rehabilitation, air monitoring and the nearby intermodal freight hub. WIM Resource said the completed project could support 1,000 full-time local jobs and announced a $40 million community benefit fund, including $1 million available over three years before operations begin.