The South Australian government, led by the Labor Premier Mike Rann, is committed to a substantial expansion of the mining industry. To this end, PIRSA — Primary Industries and Resources of South Australia and its Division of Minerals and Energy Resources (MER) — began the PACE (Plan for Accelerating Exploration) program in 2004 and has contributed over $22.5 million dollars to subsidise companies undertaking exploration works. In addition PACE aims to improve policy and information to increase mineral activity as well as building international perception of the mineral mining prospects in SA.

Extensive mineral exploration continues to occur in Kokatha Mula Country and exploration leases cover parts of the Yellabinna Regional Reserve and the Yumbarra and Pureba Conservation Parks.

Minerals of most interest include:

Zircon: Primarily used for its high temperature resistance and resistance to chemical attack. Mostly used in the ceramics and refractories industries and in nuclear power plants.

Titanium: Uses include sunscreen, toothpaste and military hardware.

Potential Mines in Kokatha Mula Country (Far West)

Jacinth and Ambrosia
Iluka Resources Limited

The most advanced mining project in this region is the Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands deposit — a zicon rich deposit that is approximately ten times the global average in grade. Located in the Yellabinna Regional Reserve and part of the Lake Ifould catchment (and in close vicinity to Lake Tallacoultra), the proposed mine site could use up to 10 gigalitres a year of underground water.

In mid 2007 IIuka Resources proceeded with a (DFS) Definite Feasibility Study for the site located 200 km North-West of Ceduna.

Iluka predicts the EIS process will be completed by mid 2008 and if approval is granted, production is scheduled to start by mid 2010. It is hoped production will reach up to approximately 300,000 tonnes of zircon per year.

Jacinth and Ambrosia will be open cut mines, entailing large-scale land clearance and a wet concentrating plant with a processing capacity of 1,000 sand tonnes per hour. This mining method requires large amounts of water, which will be sourced from saline underground sources millions of years old.

Transportation of the heavy mineral concentrate produced at Jacinth Ambrosia would require the deepening of the port at Thevenard so it can be shipped to Iluka’s separation facilities in the Mid West of Western Australia or other sites within the Iluka Resources Group.

Tripitaka
Adelaide Resources Limited — Iluka Resources Limited
 
Allegedly the most zircon-rich deposit in the world, the Tripitaka mineral sands deposit is over 3 km long and up to 1 km wide and located approx. 100km North-West of Ceduna. The deposit straddles tenements held by Iluka and the Colona Joint Venture of Iluka Resources (51%) and Adelaide Resources (49%). Tripitaka is very much in propasal stage but both Iluka and Adelaide Resources have stated they have sourced the funds to continue with the project.
 

Environmental Impacts of Exploration Activities and Mining

Areas once rich in wild game, bushfoods and bush medicine have already been altered by roadwork, sample drilling and other exploration activities. Companies argue that exploration and mining will only have a minimal impact and restoration is possible. However, Kokatha Mula have already witnessed impacts at the exploration stage. The big worry is that further impacts may not only restrict their access to foods, medicine and places of cultural importance but limit the ability to share culture and educate younger generations.

The “ecological footprint” of mining can reach well beyond the actual mine site and can include:

• erosion;
• water contamination;
• release of toxic waste;
• the spread of toxins through the food chain;
• the spread of weeds; and
• create better access which may invite other damaging activities such as illegal fossicking, dumping of rubbish and destructive 4WD practices.

The deepening of Thevenard Port for the transportation of mineral concentrate also poses environmental concerns which include:

• habitat destruction;
• creating turdity, (a reduction of light) which can impact on micro-organisms in the region;
• cultural heritage;
• increased sedimentation impacts on shell fish;
• potential impacts on tidal regimes;
• dredging of toxicant on aquaculture (i.e., oyster farming).

“We object to these [mining] and other developments, because there is no trade of land for money in our law and culture, and there is no compensation for a broken heart. Mining and exploitation of the natural gifts of the land threatens our very existence.”

— Kokatha Mula Nation Far West Division. 2006.

Parks and Reserves — The Importance of Single Proclamation

South Australian Parks and Reserves include National Parks, Regional Reserves, Game Reserves, Recreation Parks as well as Wilderness Protection Areas and Zones.

Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1972) there is provision for joint proclamations and Regional Reserves which allows mineral and petroleum exploration and mining into designated areas.

Now some three-quarters of SA’s National Parks are under joint proclamation meaning they are open for mining. Fully protected reserves make up only 5% of SA’s land total.

After a sustained campaign by miners to gain access to the area, in 1999 Yumbarra Conservation Park came under joint proclamation. This meant its protected status was removed by both houses of the SA Parliament, agreeing that mining should be allowed inside the Park. Yumbarra is considered a “test case” to show how mining can occur inside a National Park.

Members of the Kokatha Mula Nation Far West Division and conservationists alike are deeply concerned at the implications of rolling back protection measures and doubt whether the preservation of natural and cultural values can be sustained amongst increased industrial activities within the area. A ban on mining in all high conservation value areas and the creation of joint management systems for reserves with adequate resources is needed to counter existing problems such as the spread of invasive weeds and feral predators.

Mining Regulation

In South Australia, minerals are the property of the Crown and access to land for mineral exploration and mining are gained through the provisions of the Mining Act 1971 (and regulations), the Offshore Minerals Act 2000 and the Opal Mining Act 1995. These and related legislation are the responsibility of the Minister for Mineral Resources Development.

PIRSA is the manager of SA’s mineral resources and administers legislation on regulation, and technical procedures relating to mineral exploration and mining.

A range of other legislation dealing with environmental, economic and social considerations is associated with the approval and regulation of mining in SA. Other ministers, such as the Minister for Urban Planning and Development may be asked to assess a mining proposal.

Depending on the scale of a mining project, companies will be required to provide either an Environmental Impact Statement or a Public Environment Report for public consultation.

Despite the level of legislation and associated assurances of government departments, the process on the ground in outback Ceduna has at times been non-transparent and questionable. PIRSA ignored the recommendations of the South Australian environment department, DEH (the Department of Environment and Heritage), regarding environmental guidelines, and instead consulted the sand and mineral mining resource company Adelaide Resources Ltd., who have also been granted an exploration license covering nearly 2000 square kilometres of Kokatha Mula Country.

In addition, a 2007 hydrogeological report on the impact of Jacinth-Ambrosia that should have been undertaken by the DEH was referred to Iluka who commissioned Parsons Brickonhoff — a company with a reputation for supporting the nuclear industry — to undertake the research, bringing into question the objectivity of the scientific study.

Contacting Ministers with responsibilities to mining and exploration activities can make a difference. Let your concerns over the mineral resources expansion in Kokatha Mula Country be known.

Don’t let this beautiful mallee wonderland become one of Iluka’s open cut mines: