Dubbo's first mine

The project, developed by Perth-based Alkane Resources, is in the “response to submissions phase”, according to Alkane’s NSW general manager Michael Sutherland.

Following a public exhibition of the project’s environmental impact statement (EIS), Mr Sutherland said the Department of Planning and Infrastructure received 48 public and eight interested group submissions – 30 of which were against the project.

“Some of the submissions are already answered in our EIS summary but as for the rest, we will do more research, monitoring and address those concerns.”

Mr Sutherland said the open cut mine would be “relatively small” in comparison to other mines.

“It will only have an open cut footprint of 40 hectares across 20 years,” he said.

“The total land ownership area will be approximately 3500ha.”

Two properties have been purchased with more to be bought once development is approved.

The Dubbo Zirconia Project will be located at Toongi, 27 kilometres south of Dubbo, on the Obley Road.

While the idea of a mine close to Dubbo might cause the hairs to rise on the necks of many, Mr Sutherland said it would not only operate as a mine.

“It won’t just be a mine – we will continue to farm the land with livestock also.”

Mr Sutherland, who owned and operated a farm at Narromine for 17 years, said he understood why farmers would be hesitant to allow a mine to move in.

“We won’t be demolishing everything in our path – we plan to occupy some of the existing farmhouses with employees of the mine and their families.”

During the research phase of the project, a species of lizard, previously not known to be local to the area, was discovered.

The pink-tailed worm lizard was found on five hills in the area of the mine site.

“We have redesigned the project to accommodate the lizard,” Mr Sutherland said.

The project, which will employ about 230 people once fully operational, is expected to attract 25 to 35 families to Dubbo permanently according to Mr Sutherland.

“The mine life will be at least 80 years so that’s a long-term career opportunity.

“The benefits of being so close to a large regional centre such as Dubbo is we have no need to get permanent staff on a fly-in, fly-out basis.”

Alkane plans to upgrade the 27km stretch of road from Dubbo to Toongi to accommodate a higher level of traffic, particularly heavy traffic, at a cost of $13 million.

Mine haul trucks will only cart during the day, from Monday to Saturday while reagent deliveries will be scheduled outside of peak traffic hours.

An investigation into the refurbishment of the Dubbo-Toongi section of the Dubbo-Molong railway line is also being conducted.

“The railway line, which was mothballed in 1987, will cost in excess of $30 million to get back into operating condition,” Mr Sutherland said.

“A reopened line would accommodate three trains a week – three in, three out – so there will be less traffic on the road, freight cost savings and green house benefits.”

The reconditioned railway would be a class one track, where joins in the line are welded together, which would reduce noise and cater for heavier wagons and locomotives.

Mr Sutherland said the DZP could also benefit surrounding towns, such as Geurie.

“We are currently working on an EIS to set up a limestone quarry at Geurie.

“The limestone will be used to neutralise acidic waste products which will then be stored in double-lined evaporation ponds.

“The DZP ore only gives off a weak radiation but these levels will be monitored in areas of the processing plant and across the whole project site.”

Mr Sutherland said the company was expecting planning approval between March and June, with construction to start soon after.

“Alkane has always had a presence with an office in Dubbo,” he said.

The company operated the Peak Hill Gold Mine from 1996 until 2005, employing 50 locals.

The Tomingley Gold Mine, another Alkane project, is currently in the construction phase.

The open cut project, worth $120 million, will employ 120 full-time personnel and has an expected life of eight to 10 years.