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Demo Pit Guided Tours

Expressions of interest for guided tours of the Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit (MRDP) are now open. 

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Latest Releases

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April 22, 2026

Work Begins at Fingerboards Following Mobilisation by Local Contractors

Work has begun at the Fingerboards Project Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit (MRDP), following local contractors successfully completing site mobilisation and pre-start...

April 21, 2026

Project Update: Webinar 9 April 2026

Gippsland Critical Minerals held its second community webinar for 2026 on Thursday 9 April 2026. The webinar included a discussion on: •...

April 10, 2026

Fingerboards Jobs Guide Reveals 700 Job Opportunities for East Gippsland

Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) has released a comprehensive Jobs Guide for the Fingerboards Project, showing East Gippslanders what jobs the project could...

March 30, 2026

Community Update: EPBC Referral Open for Public Comment

The Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has published Gippsland Critical Minerals’ EPBC referral for the Fingerboards...

March 2, 2026

GCM Newsletter February 2026

GCM’s February 2026 Newsletter includes an update on the work happening on the ground with local businesses engaged in the Demonstration Pit,...

February 24, 2026

Commonwealth Recognises Fingerboards with Major Project Status

Gippsland Critical Minerals’ redesigned Fingerboards Project has been awarded Major Project Status (MPS) by the Australian Government recognising its global supply impacts,...

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Resources

Access key resources to learn more about the project

We’re committed to making information about the Fingerboards Project easy to find and understand. Here you’ll find reports, fact sheets and project updates that explain the work underway and how we’re assessing potential impacts.

If you’re looking for something specific or have a question, get in touch. We’ll help you find what you need.

Key community resources

Benefit sharing and community engagement plans, and summaries of our progress.

Industry and government documents

Retention licences, government and industry documents relevant to the Fingerboards Project. 

GCM Parliamentary Submission – Strengthening Social Licence and Regional Economic Outcomes in Australia’s Critical Minerals Sector

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63 KB

MCA Good Guide to Critical Minerals

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63 KB

Australian Government Critical Minerals Prospectus 2026

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63 KB

Renewal Instrument RL2026

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63 KB

Renewal Instrument RL2023

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63 KB

Project Information

Plain-language summaries of key project topics. 

Project Timeline

The Victorian Planning Minister has determined the Fingerboards Project will undertake an Environment Effects Statement (EES), recognising it as materially different to the proposal considered in 2021.

Project Overview

The Fingerboards Project is located within the Glenaladale deposit in East Gippsland, around 25km west of Bairnsdale. This site holds globally significant deposits of rare earths and critical minerals including DyTb, NdPr and Zircon.

Project Map

The rescoped Fingerboards project has a 27% smaller mining area than the 2021 proposal. It also includes mining exclusion zones in the Perry, Simpson and Lucas gullies as well as a 1.5km buffer zone between mining activities and the Lindenow Valley Horticultural Area.

Getting it Right – Water

GCM’s water strategy is designed to ensure a diversity of water sources and ensure our operations reuse and manage water responsibly. We’re also looking ahead, with legacy infrastructure that can deliver long-term water security benefits for the region

Getting it Right – Our Engagement

We’re genuine about engagement with the community and by listening, learning and collaborating we are building a better project for East Gippsland. From our drop-in sessions to our benefit-sharing workshops, there are multiple ways to have your say – learn more.

Getting it Right – Dust

The redesigned Fingerboards project is smaller in both scope and scale, reducing dust generation at its source. We’ve also introduced stronger dust management controls at key stages of the project, from mining and processing through to storage and transport.

Critical Minerals & Rare Earths

Critical minerals are the building blocks of modern technology and our clean energy future. Currently, China dominates over 95% of heavy rare earths and 90% of light rare earths production. As global demand surgees, Fingerboards can help diversify these critical supply chains while supporting Australia’s manufacturing capability and national security.

Benefits to East Gippsland

The Fingerboards Project will bring generational benefits to East Gippsland, Victoria and Australia. We’re working with the community to ensure those benefits are shared locally and reflect local priorities.

About Fingerboards

The Fingerboards deposit is a remarkable geological formation created over millions of years. Located on ancient coastal sand dunes, wind and water have concentrated these valuable minerals into one of the world’s most significant critical mineral deposits.

Newsletters

Regular project updates sent to our mailing list.

Edition 6 – February 2026

Edition 5 – November 2025

Edition 3 – April 2025

Edition 4 – August 2025

Edition 1 – January 2025

CRG Materials

Meeting notes and presentations from the Community Reference Group.

CRG #5 Notes – 11 December 2025

MRDP Work Plan approved 4 December 2025 with construction commencing early 2026. Updated EES self-referral submitted December 2025 awaiting Minister's...

CRG Meeting 3 – 08Aug25 Meeting Notes

GCM presented mine design progress with focus on rehabilitation surface development, targeting less than 15% exposed area at any time....

CRG Meeting 4 17Oct25 Meeting Notes FINAL

GCM submitted Mining & Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit Work Plan to Resources Victoria and draft self-referral ahead of anticipated EES process....

CRG Meeting 4 Presentation 17Oct2025

CRG Meeting 3 08Aug25 Meeting Notes

GCM presented mine design progress with focus on rehabilitation surface development, targeting less than 15% exposed area at any time....

CRG Meeting_3 Presentation_08Aug2025

CRG Materials

Meeting notes and presentations from the Community Reference Group.

Community Reference Group

CRG Meeting Five

11 December, 2025
MRDP Work Plan approved with construction commencing early 2026. Updated EES self-referral submitted awaiting Minister’s decision. GCM confirmed meeting all Year 3 retention licence milestones. Working groups proposed across four benefit-sharing pillars. Meeting frequency reduced to quarterly for 2026.

Community Reference Group

CRG Meeting Four

17 October, 2025
MRDP Work Plan submitted to Resources Victoria. Appian representatives presented ownership structure and ESG credentials. Detailed MRDP presentation covered site selection, earthworks sequencing and wet-backfill methodology. Discussion on dust monitoring, flocculant use and groundwater impacts. MRDP site visit to be organised.

Community Reference Group

CRG Meeting Three

8 August, 2025
Mine design progress presented targeting less than 15% exposed area at any time. Comprehensive studies program outlined across ecology, groundwater, cultural heritage, air quality, noise and radiation. Baseline monitoring commenced. Community engagement expanded with 5km resident mailout and virtual showroom launch.

Community Reference Group

CRG Meeting Two

13 June, 2025
Revised mine plans presented with 27% area reduction. Three environmental experts appointed to CRG. Benefit sharing framework reviewed — members recommended independent governance and clearer definitions of “local”. Demonstration pit confirmed for January 2026.

Community Reference Group

CRG Meeting One

18 March, 2025
First CRG meeting established group protocols and communication commitments. Demonstration pit confirmed for 2026. CRG composition to be reviewed to include more environmental expertise. Community roadshow scheduled for June across Bairnsdale, Lindenow, Sale and Stratford.

Studies

Extensive studies are now underway across key environmental, technical and social areas. We are providing an overview of these technical study briefs to help community members understand the initial scope of the studies and the range of technical information that will be available.The scopes of these studies will be further refined following a public submission process as determined by the Department of Planning.  

 

Hear from our team & experts

Webinars

Can’t make it to a community forum? Our recorded webinars bring the conversation to you. Watch our team explain project updates, hear from independent experts on environmental management, and learn how community feedback is shaping the Fingerboards Project. 

Project Update: Webinar 5 February 2026

Project Update: Webinar 10 December 2025

Project Update: Webinar 15 October 2025

Project Update: Webinar 27 March 2025

Project Update: Webinar 26 March 2025