AECOM appointed lead environmental consultant for the Fingerboards Project

Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) today announced it had appointed AECOM to support the completion of technical and environmental studies for the Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project.

AECOM has extensive experience in Australian critical minerals projects, including as lead environmental consultant to a mineral sands project near Swan Hill, which recently received mining approval from the Victorian Government.

GCM CEO Michelle Wood said: “The appointment of AECOM is another significant step forward in our work to rescope and resubmit a new project to the Victorian Government for their assessment.

“Recently, we announced 12 initial changes to the old Fingerboards project, which go a long way to reducing the impact of the proposed mine on the natural environment, dust, noise and road traffic, and creating a buffer zone for the Lindenow horticulture area.

“The initial changes are one part of rescoping and preparing a new project for submission to the government this year. There is more work to do - including monitoring, testing and conducting environmental and technical studies, along with our continuing community engagement.

“AECOM has successfully helped navigate and support multiple mining projects through the various Victorian Government approval processes. As a result, we are seeing through these and other projects that it is possible for new mining projects in Victoria to coexist with other industries, including agriculture and tourism.

“These critical minerals projects will also contribute hundreds of millions in royalties to the state budget, provide new jobs, skills, training pathways and opportunities for local businesses and help diversify regional economies.”

AECOM Technical Director, Bryan Chadwick, said: “AECOM is pleased to be supporting Gippsland Critical Minerals progress the rescoping of the Fingerboards Project. We know the critical minerals industry and we know what the community expects.

“We look forward to working to support GCM’s new approach to this important project that will support the energy transition to renewables and deliver significant opportunities to local communities and industries.”

Ms Wood added: “We are pleased to have AECOM’s expertise and experience as part of our team as we work methodically through each of the recommendations made in the last EES and prepare for a new approvals process.”

About the Fingerboards Project

GCM’s Fingerboards Project will have an operating life of over 20 years and will directly create a generation of secure, well-paid jobs for around 300 people in the local community and provide an estimated $180 million in royalties to the Victorian Government. It will develop a unique critical minerals resource rich in heavy and light rare earths, including over 7% of the global supply of the heavy rare earth Dysprosium used in high-performance magnets vital to the manufacture of renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicles.  

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. For more information https://aecom.com