VHM granted a mining licence for the Goschen project

The Resources Victoria regulator has approved a mining licence for VHM Limited’s Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project, located 35 kilometres south of Swan Hill.

The Resources Victoria regulator has approved a mining licence for VHM Limited’s Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project, located 35 kilometres south of Swan Hill.

The approval follows a thorough assessment of VHM’s application by the Earth Resources Regulator and the completion of an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process.

The Goschen project will involve mining mineral sands and rare earths, including zircon, rutile, leucoxene, ilmenite product and rare earth minerals. These materials are used in a range of products, including renewable energy infrastructure, medical implants and mobile phones.

All recommendations by the Minister for Planning following the EES process and public submissions received during the feedback period were considered as part of the decision to grant the licence.

The licence granted to VHM is valid for a period of 20 years.

Operations will be guided by a comprehensive work plan that will ensure activities are consistent with the company’s legal obligations and any conditions imposed by the regulator. No mining activity can begin until the work plan is approved.

VHM have a duty to engage with the local community about their activities for the duration of the mining licence. They must provide quarterly reports to the regulator about how they are responding to feedback and complaints during the final design and construction phase, as well as during operations.

Attribute quotes to Chris Webb, Resources Victoria Executive Director Regulatory Operations

“In addition to the recommendations from the EES process and community feedback, our assessment focussed on whether VHM can deliver what is set out in their project proposal.”

“Following this thorough assessment of their application, VHM have been awarded the right to exclusively access minerals under the state’s mining legislation.”