Costerfield mine
In April 2014, the Victorian Government hired independent consultant Golder Associates to complete an investigation into the antimony levels in the Costerfield region and the potential for community health impacts.
Antimony is a brittle silver-white metal that occurs naturally in soil and rocks so people are exposed to relatively small amounts every day.
Unlike metals such as zinc, magnesium and iron, antimony is not an essential metal, meaning it is not needed for normal body function.
Results of Golder Associates' 2014 investigation show antimony levels in Costerfield are unlikely to cause adverse health effects for residents. However, the authors advised the government to complete a more detailed human health risk assessment.
Download the reports
Steps taken
- Mandalay Resources has discontinued the supply of bottled water to the Costerfield homes.
- Residences have now been provided with undersink reverse osmosis (RO) water filters to provide clean water for domestic use. The ongoing management of the filters, including any future replacement of filters, will be undertaken by each resident or occupier.
- Manadalay Resources continues to engage with residents of Costerfield and surrounds. Learn more via the Manadalay Resources website.
The Victorian Government provided regular information to the community to keep them informed of the steps being taken to investigate and respond to environment and health concerns.
Costerfield community engagement
The Independent Engagement with the Costerfield Community Regarding the Antimony Mine report made a number of recommendations aimed at helping address local concerns about operational mining issues and improving how government communicates with residents.
We have already taken a number of precautionary measures to ensure that operational issues, such as the risk of dust and water impacts at Costerfield, are minimised and that the Mandalay Resources mine continues to comply with relevant regulations.
Government has considered this input when making appropriate changes to regulatory practice that will help lead to improved outcomes for the community.
The independent testing of topsoil and tank water at properties in Costerfield was completed in 2014.
The tests found elevated levels of antimony around Costerfield but determined that adverse health effects as a result were unlikely.
- A rapid assessment of antimony levels at Costerfield: Summary Report (PDF - 246.7 KB)
- A rapid assessment of antimony levels at Costerfield: Summary Report (WORD - 727.0 KB)
- Rapid health assessment and preliminary report (PDF - 2.8 MB)
- Rapid health assessment and preliminary report (WORD - 7.8 MB)
These reports, along with an individual household report, were provided to the households that were tested during prearranged visits from representatives from government, including staff from the former Department of State Development, Business and Innovation and the former Department of Health and a consultant from the independent expert who conducted the testing.
Page last updated: 02 Jun 2021