General News
5 May, 2025
Is your land inside a mining licence?
Are you a landowner with property inside an approved mining licence?
There is a small window provided to landowners to apply for an exception to the licence, however there are conditions which must be met to be successful.
Senior Communications Advisor, Resources, Mark Farrugia provided the criteria for both the mining licence holder and the privately owned agricultural land owner to the
He said, "A mining licence holder who intends to mine privately owned agricultural land must prepare a statement outlining the economic significance of the mine.
"The statement must refer to each agricultural property covered by the licence and it must be provided to the owners/occupiers on the same day a work plan is lodged with Resources Victoria’s Earth Resources Regulator or within 6 months of the licence being granted, whichever is earlier," he said.
"The owners or occupiers of each property may apply to excise it from the mining licence within 30 days of receiving the statement.
"If the licensee does not agree to exclude the property, the application would be independently assessed by a suitably qualified person appointed by the President of the Australian Property Institute.
"For the application to be successful, it must be demonstrated that the economic significance of the property from agriculture is greater than the projected significance of mining."
However, this can include proving that the agricultural land's continued use for primary production would be more economically beneficial to Victoria than mining.
This can involve, proving the economic value of the agricultural land, through crop yields, livestock production, or other agricultural activities, highlighting the potential for further agricultural development or innovation on the land and providing evidence of the economic impact of the agricultural enterprise on the local community and the state as a whole.
Resources Victoria can provide information on the specific requirements and processes for applying for an exemption.
They can also provide guidance on the necessary documentation and evidence needed to support the application.
Once all the necessary information and evidence have been gathered, the owners or occupiers can formally submit an application to the Minister for Resources.
This application should clearly state the reasons for seeking the exemption and outline the economic benefits of continued agricultural use.
The Wimmera and Mallee region has three mineral sand mines at varying stages of the mining licence process.
The Astron Corporation Ltd Donald Project near Minyip, the WIM Resource PL Avonbank Mine at Dooen near Horsham and the VHM Ltd Goschen Mine near Swan Hill.