Silent Encroachment:

How Mining Exploration Threatens Meander Valley Farms

The Meander Valley is quietly becoming a target for multiple exploration licenses, with vast tracts of prime agricultural land and sensitive areas pegged for potential mining activity. Many local landowners remain in the dark, unaware that their properties may already be part of these plans. The growing interest in rare earth mining—driven by global demand for critical minerals—has created a minefield of issues for residents and farmers alike.

One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of transparency in the notification process. For example, the recommendation to grant Exploration License EL22/2022 for a 233 km² area near Deloraine was published in June 2023, but only in paywalled newspapers or sources that many local residents no longer read. Lady Alice Mines Pty Ltd, an interstate company based in South Australia, is the applicant behind this license, which covers metallic minerals and atomic substances. While local landowners have the right to lodge objections, the notice provided—along with a fee of $47.60—was unlikely to reach many of those directly affected. The state's reliance on outdated and inaccessible communication methods leaves too many in the dark about their own land’s future.

It’s essential to push back against this narrative of greenwashing that presents Tasmania as a resource supplier rather than a sanctuary for natural beauty and sustainable livelihoods. We’re seeing a concerning shift toward rare earth mining exploration, which may irrevocably alter Tasmania's unique environment. Heavy rare earths like dysprosium, yttrium, and terbium, all pivotal in the production of electronics, EV batteries, and renewable energy technologies, are driving this push, drawing intense interest from mining corporations. However, framing Tasmania as a mining hub neglects the ecological and social values that make it special.

Australia's global positioning as a critical minerals supplier shouldn’t come at the expense of Tasmania’s landscapes and communities. Tasmania’s identity has always centered on its pristine environment, a place where people reconnect with nature, rather than a landscape altered by extraction. It’s time to consider the long-term impacts of these exploration licenses and advocate for a future where Tasmania remains a beacon of natural preservation and resilience.

Australia’s Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub, a joint initiative led by CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, and ANSTO, is pushing the country toward becoming a global leader in mineral supply chains. However, this ambition comes with significant challenges—particularly for rural areas like the Meander Valley. The path to net-zero emissions is fraught with issues that go beyond innovation, as the complex process of extracting these minerals can lead to the destruction of agricultural land, degradation of ecosystems, and loss of community cohesion.

The state government must not only reconsider issuing exploration and or mining licenses in sensitive areas but also ensure that landowners are properly informed in accessible, transparent ways. Notices hidden behind paywalls or published in scarcely-read papers are not enough. The local community deserves better, and landowners need to be empowered to protect their land from uninvited intrusion.

It’s time for the residents of the Meander Valley to raise their voices, demand clarity, and safeguard the future of their land and livelihoods before it’s too late.

Reedy Marsh Resident's Voices

For those of us who have chosen to live in the peaceful, healthy environment of Reedy Marsh, the proposed bauxite mine threatens everything we value. Our family has invested in 6.5 hectares of land on the Meander River, dedicating 75% of it to wildlife conservation. We chose this area for its tranquillity, natural beauty, and supportive community. If Meander Valley Council approves the proposed bauxite mine, all of this will be at risk—our investment, our health, and our way of living, our life dreams.

Our Water

Those of us in Reedy Marsh rely entirely on rainwater for drinking and growing our vegetables, the risks are alarming. If this mine goes ahead, our water tanks will be filled with rainwater contaminated by bauxite dust. Our vegetables will be polluted, making them dangerous to eat—for both us and the wildlife that shares our gardens. The health implications are shocking and unacceptable. Bauxite mining doesn’t just harm wildlife—it endangers human health as well. Dust from bauxite mines is known to contain radioactive elements like radium and thorium, which are harmful to both the environment and people. Long-term exposure to these elements can cause cancer and other serious health issues. If high-aluminum concentration of heavy metals in sediments are deposited in the water, it will further dissolve and deposit into fish and benthic creatures.

Our Wildlife

The endangered Wedge-tailed Eagles, with fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild, are among the species that stand to lose the most. These magnificent birds are extremely sensitive to disturbances from machinery, habitat destruction, and pollution. The environmental consultants themselves acknowledged in their report that a more thorough survey of the area is needed to understand the full impact on these eagles. Yet, despite the lack of proper study, the project continues to move forward. Other endangered species, such as the Tasmanian Devil and the Spotted Quoll, roam freely across the countryside, and their habitat is also at risk. While we have protected a large portion of our property for these animals, their survival depends on the surrounding environment remaining intact. We cannot allow this bauxite mine to destroy the homes of these creatures. The wildlife in Reedy Marsh is part of what makes this place special—not only to us but to future generations. The irreversible damage to their habitat from machinery, land clearing, and toxic dust would be a tragedy for Tasmania’s biodiversity.

Our River

The Meander River, which borders our property, is another victim of this proposed mine. Toxic chemicals from bauxite mining will leach into the river, damaging the ecosystem and potentially wiping out fish populations. The harmful effects of bauxite dust on marine life are well-documented in places like Malaysia, where entire ecosystems have been devastated. If this mine goes ahead, we risk creating a "dead zone" in our own backyard, where fish, birds, and other wildlife can no longer survive.

Our Call for Action

This mine is not just a development—it’s a direct threat to everything we cherish in Reedy Marsh. Our peaceful lifestyle, our wildlife, our health, and our community are all at stake. We moved here to escape exactly these kinds of industrial risks, and it is inconceivable that Meander Valley Council would approve such a project given the dangers it poses. We strongly urge the Council to reject this proposal and, at the very least, to commission an independent and thorough wildlife survey before any decisions are made. Additionally, if the mine is approved, we recommend extending Deloraine’s town water supply to Reedy Marsh to mitigate the potential health risks posed by contaminated rainwater. This is our home. It’s worth protecting

MINE WATCH - MEANDER VALLEY

Silent Encroachment:

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