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Jonathan Porter - The Outback Prospector
5 hrs
*MCMASTERS GPA IN CLERMONT NOW UNDER THREAT!*
Recent advice on pending coal mining leases over the lower portion of McMasters GPA indicates granting of these leases is moving closer to approval (after 5 years). DNRME advice only says "This is one of the steps the ML application needs to go through before grant....cant confirm how long until the ML is granted but would think that it is still a long way off yet."
However, once this occurs, after 150 years of alluvial gold extraction and 17 years of modern electronic prospecting activity, McMasters GPA will cease to exist as we know it. How the boundaries may be redrawn, or if at all, remains to be seen. We have no advice about when works might actually commence, but once granted, access is likely to be completely restricted.
Our understanding is the leases will cut access from both the south and north across the lower half of McMasters GPA, for a haul road running SE to NW from Blair Athol coal mine loading facility up to proposed new coal mine Cuesta Coal (now Huaxin Energy (Aust) Pty Ltd) Moorlands Project outside the State Forest on freehold land - no more access through from Birimgan GPA to Snufflers Dam into McMasters. See attached MinesOnlineMaps extraction - ML 700040 highlighted in yellow.
If we do nothing, the lease will be granted unopposed so as prospectors, this is our chance to make our objections known to Minister Lynham to tell him how the loss of this GPA will not only severely impact our ability to use our QLD Fossicking Licences for recreational prospecting but also destroy Clermont's tourism economy. First Bottom Apsley, now McMasters GPA.
We have FOUR days left to lodge objections, which must be received by 4.30pm Tuesday 26th March.
We all need to submit an Objection Form MRA-20, see link and instructions below.
https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au//mra-20-objection-form-mining
Download Objection Form MRA-20 first, then complete contact details and grounds of objection etc, print, sign and email to BOTH contacts below.
Multiple signatures allowed. (I will upload our submission once completed as a guide to wording.)
Mining Lease: ML 700040
Applicant: Hannigan & Associates Pty Ltd
EMAIL signed form to: [email protected]
Attn: Melissa Munro, Mining Registrar, Coal Assessment Hub
Ph: 07 4936 0166 for enquiries/assistance
AND
Hannigan & Associates Pty Ltd
Email: [email protected]
Read Notice of Proposed Grant of Mining Lease
https://www.couriermail.com.au/classifieds/ad/3171181/
*Note ML 700041 is for an access road running along State Forest boundary to the north, outside McMasters GPA, no impact on GPA. We would suggest making the point that access to the loading facility should travel via this route and leave the State Forest and McMasters GPA intact. ML 70526 objection period has passed way back in 2014 so this is a last-ditch effort to object to ML700040 and make a stand for recreational prospecting in Clermont.
Our best advice is for you, your mates, and all your living relatives to lodge your objections over the weekend, then hightail it to McMasters to extract as much alluvial gold as you can before Old King Coal closes down yet another historic goldfield.
5 hrs
*MCMASTERS GPA IN CLERMONT NOW UNDER THREAT!*
Recent advice on pending coal mining leases over the lower portion of McMasters GPA indicates granting of these leases is moving closer to approval (after 5 years). DNRME advice only says "This is one of the steps the ML application needs to go through before grant....cant confirm how long until the ML is granted but would think that it is still a long way off yet."
However, once this occurs, after 150 years of alluvial gold extraction and 17 years of modern electronic prospecting activity, McMasters GPA will cease to exist as we know it. How the boundaries may be redrawn, or if at all, remains to be seen. We have no advice about when works might actually commence, but once granted, access is likely to be completely restricted.
Our understanding is the leases will cut access from both the south and north across the lower half of McMasters GPA, for a haul road running SE to NW from Blair Athol coal mine loading facility up to proposed new coal mine Cuesta Coal (now Huaxin Energy (Aust) Pty Ltd) Moorlands Project outside the State Forest on freehold land - no more access through from Birimgan GPA to Snufflers Dam into McMasters. See attached MinesOnlineMaps extraction - ML 700040 highlighted in yellow.
If we do nothing, the lease will be granted unopposed so as prospectors, this is our chance to make our objections known to Minister Lynham to tell him how the loss of this GPA will not only severely impact our ability to use our QLD Fossicking Licences for recreational prospecting but also destroy Clermont's tourism economy. First Bottom Apsley, now McMasters GPA.
We have FOUR days left to lodge objections, which must be received by 4.30pm Tuesday 26th March.
We all need to submit an Objection Form MRA-20, see link and instructions below.
https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au//mra-20-objection-form-mining
Download Objection Form MRA-20 first, then complete contact details and grounds of objection etc, print, sign and email to BOTH contacts below.
Multiple signatures allowed. (I will upload our submission once completed as a guide to wording.)
Mining Lease: ML 700040
Applicant: Hannigan & Associates Pty Ltd
EMAIL signed form to: [email protected]
Attn: Melissa Munro, Mining Registrar, Coal Assessment Hub
Ph: 07 4936 0166 for enquiries/assistance
AND
Hannigan & Associates Pty Ltd
Email: [email protected]
Read Notice of Proposed Grant of Mining Lease
https://www.couriermail.com.au/classifieds/ad/3171181/
*Note ML 700041 is for an access road running along State Forest boundary to the north, outside McMasters GPA, no impact on GPA. We would suggest making the point that access to the loading facility should travel via this route and leave the State Forest and McMasters GPA intact. ML 70526 objection period has passed way back in 2014 so this is a last-ditch effort to object to ML700040 and make a stand for recreational prospecting in Clermont.
Our best advice is for you, your mates, and all your living relatives to lodge your objections over the weekend, then hightail it to McMasters to extract as much alluvial gold as you can before Old King Coal closes down yet another historic goldfield.
