CONCERNED community groups will hold a community meeting on Friday, 31 May to discuss the issue of antimony mining on the Dorrigo Plateau.
The meeting will be convened by the Bellingen Environment Centre, the Blicks River Guardians and Lock the Gate Nambucca Valley.
Antimony is a valuable component in various manufacturing processes such as flame retardants, lead-acid batteries, and semi-conductors, as well as in solar panels, glass manufacturing, and military technologies like missile guidance systems, night vision equipment, and nuclear weapons.
Its ability to resist heat and corrosion, combined with its conductive properties, makes it indispensable in both traditional industries and emerging technologies.
China has long been the major global producer of antinomy, and last year tightened its exports of the mineral following political tensions with the United States (US).
Consequently, the US classified antimony as a critical mineral and has granted it exemption from President Trump’s new tariff regime.
With demand rising and supply chains under strain, the antimony market is booming, with prices hitting $80,000 per metric ton during April (a 40-year high), making reconsideration of historical antimony deposits attractive to mining companies.
Prospecting for metals such as antimony has been occurring on the Dorrigo plateau for many years.
Currently environment groups are concerned about proposed exploration of antimony and tungsten deposits at Wild Cattle Creek.
A previous attempt by Anchor Resources to prospect in the area was highlighted in a report on ABC’s 7:30 program in 2011.
Its exploration licence has been acquired by Trigg Minerals, which is seeking investors to advance the project.
The Clarence Catchment Alliance (CCA) is one of the groups calling for urgent action that they say is needed to protect the critical drinking water catchment for over 80,000 people in the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour regions.
The Alliance says that, under the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy, exploration licences are now being fast-tracked.
The group is also concerned about a lack of consultation with local landholders.
“We are not anti-mining as such, but are anti-mining in sensitive areas,” said CCA coordinator Shae Fleming.
“As well as being in the drinking water catchment, this area is a flood zone and contains culturally sensitive sites and endangered species.”
Ms Fleming said there are more than 40 exploration licences or applications that could adversely affect the Clarence catchment.
Her group and others are calling for an immediate halt to exploratory licences across the water catchment, a full review of licence approvals, and political support for a Notice of Motion tabled by Clarence MP Richie Williamson to strengthen protections.
The Nationals MP’s motion will ask the State Parliament to “act with urgency to declare the Clarence electorate mining free” and acknowledge that the “Richmond and Clarence Valleys have a wonderful natural beauty and environmentally sensitive areas that need protection from mining”.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh also stated he and his party oppose antimony mining in the Clarence and Coffs Harbour electorates.
Andre Booyzen, Managing Director of Trigg Minerals Ltd, said Trigg is committed to working with the local community at Wild Cattle Creek.
“To date we have not engaged with the whole community, but we fully intend to do so in the coming weeks and months,” he said.
“We understand that there is a small group in the area that opposes all forms of mining.
“We will definitely engage with this group as well and hope to help them understand what we are planning.”
Mr Booyzen said antimony in its mined form is called stibnite, and is not toxic.
“It is important that they understand that there is very little risk to the community and the environment,” he said.
“We are a responsible mining company and comply with the guidelines and rules of the NSW Government.
The 31 May community meeting will begin at 2pm at 16 Cudgery St, Dorrigo.
By Andrew VIVIAN
