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Timeline

  1. Exhibition open

    14 April 2023

  2. Exhibition closes

    26 May 2023

  3. Directions hearing

    16 June 2023

  4. Public hearing

    31 July – 24 August 2023

  5. Report submitted

    8 November 2023

    Timing of a decision and release of the report is at the discretion of the Minister for Planning.

Overview

The Minister for Planning appointed a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee to advise on the proposed Avonbank Mineral Sands project.

WIM Resource Pty Ltd (the Proponent) proposes to develop the Avonbank Mineral Sands project which has a development extent of 3,546 hectares located approximately 15 kilometres north-east of Horsham.

The project involves open pit mining of the Avonbank ore body to produce a heavy mineral concentrate containing zircon, titanium-rich mineral concentrate and minor amounts of rare earth products. It is proposed to extract approximately 11 million tonnes of ore per year over a projected mine life of 30 years to produce approximately 12.75 million tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate over the life of mine.

The proposal includes:

  • Progressive rehabilitation of mined areas to re-establish productive agricultural end land use and to limit the area disturbed to less than 400 ha at any one particular point in time.
  • Establishment of mineral sands processing infrastructure within the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal Precinct
  • Establishment of power and water supply to the mineral sands processing area via a minor utilities corridor that extends from existing services.
  • Transportation of product from the processing area to the Port of Portland via the Henty Highway for temporary storage, loading and shipment overseas.

The Committee is asked to advise the Minister on the Environment Effects Statement, draft Horsham planning scheme amendment C84hors, submissions received and the environmental effects of the proposed project.

Inquiry and advisory committee members

Documents

To view and download the Environment Effects Statement, draft planning scheme amendment and other documents for this project, see Avonbank Mineral Sands Project.

Terms of reference

Make a submission

Submissions are closed.

Submissions made to the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project Inquiry and Advisory Committee are available at Engage Victoria.

More information

To find out more about the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project:

WIM Resource Pty Ltd
1800 580 787
avonbankees@wimresource.com.au

For more information about the Avonbank Mineral Sands EES process:
Impact Assessment Unit
environment.assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au

Accessibility and assistance

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Page last updated: 09/11/23