The Victorian Government has revealed the approval of a work plan for VHM Limited’s Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project.
Victorian resources minister Lily D’Ambrosio said it’s a significant step forward for the critical minerals sector.
“This approval is helping ensure that Victoria’s critical minerals can meet the demand created by the renewable energy transition and provide a massive boost to the economy in the Mallee and beyond,” she said.
“Critical minerals development in the Wimmera and Mallee could support up to 7000 new jobs in the coming decades, and we are backing local communities with these well-paying jobs.”
The work plan aims to not only create new jobs in Victoria’s critical minerals sector but also to deliver the materials needed to create renewable energy, advanced technologies, and medical equipment.
The approval takes on recommendations for the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process. Throughout the project, VMH will be required to monitor air quality, publish real-time dust level data online, provide quarterly updates on its response to community feedback, and rehabilitate the site.
All operations will also be consistent with VHM’s legal obligations and conditions imposed by Resources Victoria.
In 2024, the Victorian Government set out a Critical Minerals Roadmap in an effort to unlock the state’s critical minerals potential. This work plan is the latest attempt at creating more jobs whilst remaining sustainably ethical.
Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes said that the work plan has the potential to bolster the critical minerals sector.
“We are making sure critical minerals are developed in a responsible way so that local communities benefit from new mining projects now and into the future,” she said.