Work has begun at the Fingerboards Project Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit (MRDP), following local contractors successfully completing site mobilisation and pre-start inspections.
Six additional East Gippsland businesses have now been engaged to support activities at the MRDP, with more than 20 local contractors sharing in procurement contracts now valued at more than $1.4 million.
Local businesses contributing to works include Whelans Group, Riley Earthmoving, Riseley Contracting, Kennards Hire Bairnsdale, East Gippsland Asset Protection and Gibsons Ground Spread, supporting earthworks, transport, fencing, equipment hire and site services.
Designed to test and demonstrate the mining, environmental and water management and rehabilitation methods proposed for the Fingerboards Project, the MRDP will generate data under local conditions and inform technical studies currently underway as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES).
Community members are also now able to register online for upcoming guided hour-long tours of the Demo Pit. During the tours, GCM managers will walk visitors through how the pit operates and the design and safety features of the project.
Visitors will receive a safety induction before being walked through the site with GCM managers and technical staff. The visit will include an overview of the pit design, separation plant operations, and how rehabilitation will be delivered.
For safety reasons, visitors must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Children under 14 are not permitted on site. Tour dates and times will be confirmed as works progress.
Gippsland Critical Minerals East Gippsland Community and Stakeholder Lead Mick Harrington said the Demo Pit was designed to provide peace of mind that every part of the project has been tested under controlled real world conditions.
“This is important work being delivered by East Gippsland contractors, I’m proud to see this day arrive,” Mr Harrington said.
“More than a million dollars is flowing to local businesses for earthworks, fabrication, technical and site services, and that’s the right approach we’ll take across the life of the project.”
“As the work progresses, we want people to come out and see it for themselves, ask questions and speak directly with the technical teams working on site.”
The MRDP forms part of the technical work supporting the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, with the Victorian Minister for Planning determining that the redesigned Fingerboards Project is materially different from the 2021 proposal.
As part of that process, GCM is also meeting with landholders whose properties sit within the proposed project area to walk through the redesigned project and discuss the current draft mining schedule.
The draft schedule sets out the proposed sequence of mining across the site. It is not final and will continue to be refined as technical studies and consultations progress through the EES process.
Contractors and suppliers interested in future procurement opportunities at the Fingerboards Project can visit gippslandcriticalminerals.com/jobs-suppliers for more information or to register their interest.
To learn more about the MRDP or to register interest in participating in a tour, visit www.gippslandcriticalminerals.com/mrdp-guided-tours/ or call us on 800 791 396.
