Grave Concerns for Landowners

 The Hidden Threat of Exploration Licenses in the Meander Valley

The Meander Valley is under siege, with numerous exploration licenses quietly granted across vast stretches of the Valley, much of it prime agricultural farmland. Many landowners remain unaware that their properties have already been pegged for potential for both explorationand mining . With the world's growing interest in rare earth elements, the stakes are high for both the environment and the livelihood of those who call this valley home.

 

What’s especially alarming is the lack of rights farmers and landowners have once exploration and mining licenses are in place. An exploration company can enter a landowner's property without prior warnind to mark out (peg) their proposed mining lease. They are only required to notify the owner within 7 days of claiming the pegged land. Even more concerning is that once exploration licence has been granted, these companies have the legal right to return at any time,  with only minimal of 14 days disclosure required.

One of the companies, Westbury Resources Pty Ltd, which operates under the guise of Bespoke Business Solutions provided by Matrix Partners, has been remarkably elusive. Despite holding licenses in the valley, there is little visible activity, yet they have all the backing needed to quietly proceed with exploration and onto their mining plans. 

 

Meanwhile, Meryllion Resources CEO Richard Revelins boasts of his success in pegging land in the valley, openly referencing to the stealth tactics his company employed by riding on the tails of ABx's rare earth discovery.  Revelins highlights that his geological partners, possibly Tasmanian Strategic Green Magnets Pty Ltd, have also played a role in securing these licenses, although information on this entity remains scarce.

 Meryllion Resources - Rare Earth Metals Exploration (Ionic Adsorption Clay) Tasmania

Meryllion Resources (MR:CSE) brand new potential discovery adjacent to larger industry peer ABx Resources who just discovered new Ionic Clay Adsorption type REE (Rare Earth Element) metals in Tasmania. 

For farmers and other land owners, the legal landscape is bleak. The law allows anyone who intends to apply for a mining lease to enter private land for marking (pegging) out, without requiring prior consent from the landowner. If a landowner obstructs the process, the company can apply for a court order to prevent further interference. 

While landowners can file claims for any damage caused during marking out, the power imbalance is clear—these companies are backed by substantial financial and legal resources, making it difficult for individual landowners to assert their rights.

 

As the community grapples with these new realities, one thing is clear: the situation requires urgent attention and greater transparency. It’s time for landowners and farmers to come together, understand their rights, and ensure they are not steamrolled by corporate interests seeking to exploit the resources of the Meander Valley.