DEAR News Of The Area,
IN response to Trigg Minerals CEO Andre Booyzen’s claims (14 May) regarding antimony exploration on the Dorrigo Plateau, the Clarence Catchment Alliance (CCA) urges clarity: this is not about being anti-mining.
We are not a fringe group, and we are not misinformed.
We are a community led regional alliance of thousands of local united residents, Traditional Owners and businesspeople opposing mineral mining in our flood-prone areas, drinking water catchments, and regions of high ecological and cultural value.
That has always been our position.
To say there’s just “a small group” opposed to mining is simply false.
In 2021, over 10,000 people signed a petition against mining in the Clarence Catchment, tabled and debated in NSW Parliament.
In 2023, 72 percent of Clarence LGA residents surveyed (in partnership with Southern Cross University) opposed mineral mining here.
We are supported by six local councils with standing motions and a growing list of state and federal MPs from across the political spectrum.
We will be attending parliament in Sydney with them in the coming months on this issue.
Mr Booyzen claims “stibnite is not toxic,” downplaying real risks.
Once disturbed, antimony can leach into water as a soluble compound.
It is harmful to aquatic life and a probable carcinogen, with symptoms like arsenic poisoning.
There is no safe level of antimony in drinking water.
In flood-prone zones like ours, this is an unacceptable risk.
Already this year, antimony was detected above safe drinking levels twice in Shannon Creek Dam, the drinking water catchment up to 100,000 people.
Mr Booyzen stated on ABC radio on 19.5.25 that the contamination is probably caused by historical exploration – proving community concerns, and we thank him for admitting that.
Mr Booyzen admits Trigg “has not engaged the whole community,” yet drill core samples were transported in April without consultation.
NSW’s own Consultation Code demands early, open engagement, not after the fact.
Starting work, no matter what the activity is, without consent violates both community trust and regulatory expectations.
This is not an anti-mining movement. It is a bipartisan supported, science-backed, and evidence-based call to prevent toxic, extractive industries in one of the state’s most sensitive regions.
No social licence has been granted, and no amount of greenwashing or job promises will change that.
This catchment is no place for mining. Not now. Not ever.
Respectfully,
Shae FLEMING,
Coordinator,
Clarence Catchment Alliance.
