Save Whitsunday Water; DITTMER and the Proserpine State Forest
Save Whitsunday Water; DITTMER and the Proserpine State Forest
The issue
Why Are We Saying Save our Water?
Save Dittmer?
Ballymore Resources is currently applying for a Gold Mining LEASE (ML100351) in Dittmer, Clarke Ranges in The Proserpine State Forest; Whitsundays. This lease is for 15 years.
Dittmer falls into two water catchments; the Great Barrier Reef and the Proserpine Catchment (Peter Faust Dam drinking water resources for entire Whitsundays).
Kelsey Creek is the creek in Dittmer; shown below
Ballymore Resources have big plans according to their online marketing for the above Dittmer project.
Ballymore's 'strategy' above; and Dittmer Project below shown beside the Whitsunday Drinking water supply.
The applied for Dittmer lease ML100351 (shown in yellow) now covers 272 hectares; approx. 20 times the size of the original granted historic mining lease area ML10341.This applied for ML incorporates Kelsey Creek and will mean the 79 Dittmer residents will not be allowed access to the Creek. There is no baseline water studies done; and no water license information provided to us by DESI about impacts or where the vast amounts of water will come from that this style of mining requires.
Kelsey Creek is shown below in blue; Dittmer homes are on the right.
Ore deposits above shown overlaid across residents homes and Kelsey Creek. How close are residents homes in this map; to the creek set to be potentially mined; given its being included in the mining lease application ?
THIS CLOSE
DESI has confirmed no hydrogeological investigation or report has been undertaken by Ballymore's in relation to underground water.
DESI will not confirm that over the next 15 years PROCESSING will not occur on site at ML100351; DESI will not confirm that over the next 15 years CYANIDE LEECH will not be used onsite.
According to Ballymore's paperwork ML100351 is part of Dittmer Project seen below.
Plans for Dittmer Project can be seen at this link: https://ballymoreresources.com/site/pdf/f71174e1-0a11-4dd9-bec3-67e7f6f8d900/Noosa-Mining-Investor-Conference-Presentation.pdf
The mining lease area; for the entire Dittmer Project covers an area of approximately 488 km2; spanning from the PROSERPINE DAM TO BLOOMSBURY. This project is not just Dittmer; it’s a major project set to potentially impact multiple communities in its path.
Ballymore has mapped out plans to backfill waste rock into the holes they create underground when they drill for ore. There is potential that much of this drilling may take place under creek beds and near creek beds and through aquifers.
Ballymore's MOON deposits shown below is aerial mapped over the Drinking water supply for Whitsundays.
So why should we be concerned about Ballymore plans to backfill waste rock into the voids created where they drill for ore?
Practices of backfilling waste rock are proven to lead to Acid Mine Drainage.
BACKFILLING WASTE ROCK is a proven water pollutant; below are some close to home case studies from QLD Rivers now permanently irreversibly poisoned by ‘backfilling waste rock’ and subsequent Acid Mine Drainage (toxic leeching) into rivers from gold mining practices.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/backgroundbriefing/toxic-mine-water/4518922
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-19/baal-gammon-mine-leaking-contaminated-water/10914440
Ballymore drill depths of 300m PLUS and information about -pyrite-chalcopyrite [acid forming waste rock] contained in their drill samples:
As far as DESI has informed us to date; No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on Peter Faust Dam water resources OR ON KELSEY CREEK. No hydrogeology investigation has been submitted to DESI.
What are more water potential risks?
Rainfall patterns of Dittmer and risks of potential cyanide spills:
The Proserpine catchment receives high to very high rainfall, predominantly in the wet season. The average annual rainfall ranges from 901 millimetres in the north-west to 2,401 millimetres over higher elevations. Dittmer in the Proserpine State Forest and Clarke Ranges; is a higher elevation and is one of the first regional areas of the Whitsundays to get cut off each year during wet season and cyclone flooding. To give some idea of this catchment; The Peter Faust Dam when it was constructed was predicted to take 10 years to fill; it filled in the first wet season [6 weeks].
The RISK OF A CYANIDE OVERFLOW and spills during wet season rain and storm surges and cyclone season seem WAY TOO HIGH.
Dittmer creek is Kelsey Creek; and it flows directly through wetlands, with migratory birds; important Agricultural Land right to Great Barrier Reef.
IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE Great Barrier Reef IS 30 MINS DRIVE.
No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on Great barrier Reef should a spill happen during wet season rain?
that's what EIS studies are for to work out risks and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.
What are the facts currently about this Dittmer Project and the Mining lease application?
1.Apparently Ballymore resources surety is approx. $18, 000, should something go wrong that’s what they have to mop up the problem
2. The state government has awarded a CEI grant of $300, 000 to Ballymore for the Dittmer Project???? (tax paying dollars; and let’s keep in mind the lease has not yet been granted!!!)
3. no EPBC REFERAL has been made to the federal government in over 1 year by Ballymore
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/publications/factsheet-submitting-referral-under-epbc-act
4. no (EIA) environmental impact Assessment or (EIS) environmental impact statement have been required nor requested by State Government
https://www.des.qld.gov.au/policies?a=272936:policy_registry/eis-gl-eis-criteria.pdf
This means NO STUDIES for risks, impacts and ways to mitigate those risks and impacts have been done by Ballymore.
Dittmer is a small village with 79 freehold residents that rely solely on bore water for drinking.
DESI claims a human rights assessment was carried out in relation to this decision and it was determined that the decision is compatible with human rights. This assessment took place via a remote desktop with no community consultation and engagement. No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on water.
Due to Dittmer topography and proximity of this mine site to homes; approval will make Dittmer unlivable for the 79 residents.
NO COMPENSATION IS BEING OFFERED. IN AN AUSTRALIA WIDE HOUSING CRISIS WHERE DO WE GO? AND WITH WHAT MONEY? AS WE CANNOT SELL OUR HOMES WITH THIS MINE SITE THERE.
ONE DITTMER HOME SHOWN ABOVE WITH THE STATE FOREST AS A BACKDROP; MINE SITE IN VISIBLE DISTANCE
Dittmer is mapped essential habitat for 4 Threatened Endangered Species, and multiple endangered vegetation trees including Native Grass Trees and Cycads.
Dittmer is home to Greater Glider, Koala, and Northern Quoll; all nationally endangered and apparently 'protected matters' and to Endemic and Endangered Proserpine Rock Wallaby-largest and most viable colony is the Clarke Ranges colony; Shown below:
MORE INFO:
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=226
To our knowledge-No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on MNES threatened species?
Native Title:
Under 'right to negotiate' First nations traditional owners of the Clarke Ranges ‘GIA PEOPLE’, have allegedly not been notified nor engaged in discussions for this 'Dittmer Project'.
Traditional Elders do not consent to this Dittmer Project; they stand with us in calling for this project to be put through the proper processes pursuant to Federal MNES "protected matters' EPBC legislation.
NQLC has not provided us with right to negotiate notification dates?
More facts related to this mining lease application:
Due to our persistence we have prompted:
· One State investigation into potential EA breaches (unknown outcome)
· Two Federal investigations into (1). Unauthorized clearing of MNES essential habitat; New Weir Road and (2). Risks to MNES Proserpine Rock Wallaby And Great Barrier Reef that this project poses (unknown outcome)
· Two extensions were needed before a Draft EA could be approved
· A Major amendment was required to the existing EA
However With all the actual present facts and no data or studies to show risks and impacts and how Ballymore plans to mitigate those risk to water, threatened species, humans; DESI still approved the draft EA; which means the Mining lease can now be approved.
Local Council knows every aspect and has chosen to remain silent, passing the responsibility to State.
State Government is waving green lights all the way and making it really hard for us to get answers in over 10 months.
Federal Government is passing the responsibility to State.
We need your help
Please visit our webstite
https://www.savewhitsundaywater.com/
More information please join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SaveWhitsundayWater/
Press releases:
https://whitsundaynews.net.au/gold-mine-could-threaten-whitsunday-water-supplies/
https://www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/article/proserpine-gold-mine-re-opens-after-70-years
1,797
The issue
Why Are We Saying Save our Water?
Save Dittmer?
Ballymore Resources is currently applying for a Gold Mining LEASE (ML100351) in Dittmer, Clarke Ranges in The Proserpine State Forest; Whitsundays. This lease is for 15 years.
Dittmer falls into two water catchments; the Great Barrier Reef and the Proserpine Catchment (Peter Faust Dam drinking water resources for entire Whitsundays).
Kelsey Creek is the creek in Dittmer; shown below
Ballymore Resources have big plans according to their online marketing for the above Dittmer project.
Ballymore's 'strategy' above; and Dittmer Project below shown beside the Whitsunday Drinking water supply.
The applied for Dittmer lease ML100351 (shown in yellow) now covers 272 hectares; approx. 20 times the size of the original granted historic mining lease area ML10341.This applied for ML incorporates Kelsey Creek and will mean the 79 Dittmer residents will not be allowed access to the Creek. There is no baseline water studies done; and no water license information provided to us by DESI about impacts or where the vast amounts of water will come from that this style of mining requires.
Kelsey Creek is shown below in blue; Dittmer homes are on the right.
Ore deposits above shown overlaid across residents homes and Kelsey Creek. How close are residents homes in this map; to the creek set to be potentially mined; given its being included in the mining lease application ?
THIS CLOSE
DESI has confirmed no hydrogeological investigation or report has been undertaken by Ballymore's in relation to underground water.
DESI will not confirm that over the next 15 years PROCESSING will not occur on site at ML100351; DESI will not confirm that over the next 15 years CYANIDE LEECH will not be used onsite.
According to Ballymore's paperwork ML100351 is part of Dittmer Project seen below.
Plans for Dittmer Project can be seen at this link: https://ballymoreresources.com/site/pdf/f71174e1-0a11-4dd9-bec3-67e7f6f8d900/Noosa-Mining-Investor-Conference-Presentation.pdf
The mining lease area; for the entire Dittmer Project covers an area of approximately 488 km2; spanning from the PROSERPINE DAM TO BLOOMSBURY. This project is not just Dittmer; it’s a major project set to potentially impact multiple communities in its path.
Ballymore has mapped out plans to backfill waste rock into the holes they create underground when they drill for ore. There is potential that much of this drilling may take place under creek beds and near creek beds and through aquifers.
Ballymore's MOON deposits shown below is aerial mapped over the Drinking water supply for Whitsundays.
So why should we be concerned about Ballymore plans to backfill waste rock into the voids created where they drill for ore?
Practices of backfilling waste rock are proven to lead to Acid Mine Drainage.
BACKFILLING WASTE ROCK is a proven water pollutant; below are some close to home case studies from QLD Rivers now permanently irreversibly poisoned by ‘backfilling waste rock’ and subsequent Acid Mine Drainage (toxic leeching) into rivers from gold mining practices.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/backgroundbriefing/toxic-mine-water/4518922
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-19/baal-gammon-mine-leaking-contaminated-water/10914440
Ballymore drill depths of 300m PLUS and information about -pyrite-chalcopyrite [acid forming waste rock] contained in their drill samples:
As far as DESI has informed us to date; No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on Peter Faust Dam water resources OR ON KELSEY CREEK. No hydrogeology investigation has been submitted to DESI.
What are more water potential risks?
Rainfall patterns of Dittmer and risks of potential cyanide spills:
The Proserpine catchment receives high to very high rainfall, predominantly in the wet season. The average annual rainfall ranges from 901 millimetres in the north-west to 2,401 millimetres over higher elevations. Dittmer in the Proserpine State Forest and Clarke Ranges; is a higher elevation and is one of the first regional areas of the Whitsundays to get cut off each year during wet season and cyclone flooding. To give some idea of this catchment; The Peter Faust Dam when it was constructed was predicted to take 10 years to fill; it filled in the first wet season [6 weeks].
The RISK OF A CYANIDE OVERFLOW and spills during wet season rain and storm surges and cyclone season seem WAY TOO HIGH.
Dittmer creek is Kelsey Creek; and it flows directly through wetlands, with migratory birds; important Agricultural Land right to Great Barrier Reef.
IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE Great Barrier Reef IS 30 MINS DRIVE.
No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on Great barrier Reef should a spill happen during wet season rain?
that's what EIS studies are for to work out risks and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.
What are the facts currently about this Dittmer Project and the Mining lease application?
1.Apparently Ballymore resources surety is approx. $18, 000, should something go wrong that’s what they have to mop up the problem
2. The state government has awarded a CEI grant of $300, 000 to Ballymore for the Dittmer Project???? (tax paying dollars; and let’s keep in mind the lease has not yet been granted!!!)
3. no EPBC REFERAL has been made to the federal government in over 1 year by Ballymore
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/publications/factsheet-submitting-referral-under-epbc-act
4. no (EIA) environmental impact Assessment or (EIS) environmental impact statement have been required nor requested by State Government
https://www.des.qld.gov.au/policies?a=272936:policy_registry/eis-gl-eis-criteria.pdf
This means NO STUDIES for risks, impacts and ways to mitigate those risks and impacts have been done by Ballymore.
Dittmer is a small village with 79 freehold residents that rely solely on bore water for drinking.
DESI claims a human rights assessment was carried out in relation to this decision and it was determined that the decision is compatible with human rights. This assessment took place via a remote desktop with no community consultation and engagement. No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on water.
Due to Dittmer topography and proximity of this mine site to homes; approval will make Dittmer unlivable for the 79 residents.
NO COMPENSATION IS BEING OFFERED. IN AN AUSTRALIA WIDE HOUSING CRISIS WHERE DO WE GO? AND WITH WHAT MONEY? AS WE CANNOT SELL OUR HOMES WITH THIS MINE SITE THERE.
ONE DITTMER HOME SHOWN ABOVE WITH THE STATE FOREST AS A BACKDROP; MINE SITE IN VISIBLE DISTANCE
Dittmer is mapped essential habitat for 4 Threatened Endangered Species, and multiple endangered vegetation trees including Native Grass Trees and Cycads.
Dittmer is home to Greater Glider, Koala, and Northern Quoll; all nationally endangered and apparently 'protected matters' and to Endemic and Endangered Proserpine Rock Wallaby-largest and most viable colony is the Clarke Ranges colony; Shown below:
MORE INFO:
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=226
To our knowledge-No studies have been done to show what impacts this Project will have on MNES threatened species?
Native Title:
Under 'right to negotiate' First nations traditional owners of the Clarke Ranges ‘GIA PEOPLE’, have allegedly not been notified nor engaged in discussions for this 'Dittmer Project'.
Traditional Elders do not consent to this Dittmer Project; they stand with us in calling for this project to be put through the proper processes pursuant to Federal MNES "protected matters' EPBC legislation.
NQLC has not provided us with right to negotiate notification dates?
More facts related to this mining lease application:
Due to our persistence we have prompted:
· One State investigation into potential EA breaches (unknown outcome)
· Two Federal investigations into (1). Unauthorized clearing of MNES essential habitat; New Weir Road and (2). Risks to MNES Proserpine Rock Wallaby And Great Barrier Reef that this project poses (unknown outcome)
· Two extensions were needed before a Draft EA could be approved
· A Major amendment was required to the existing EA
However With all the actual present facts and no data or studies to show risks and impacts and how Ballymore plans to mitigate those risk to water, threatened species, humans; DESI still approved the draft EA; which means the Mining lease can now be approved.
Local Council knows every aspect and has chosen to remain silent, passing the responsibility to State.
State Government is waving green lights all the way and making it really hard for us to get answers in over 10 months.
Federal Government is passing the responsibility to State.
We need your help
Please visit our webstite
https://www.savewhitsundaywater.com/
More information please join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SaveWhitsundayWater/
Press releases:
https://whitsundaynews.net.au/gold-mine-could-threaten-whitsunday-water-supplies/
https://www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/article/proserpine-gold-mine-re-opens-after-70-years
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Petition created on 18 March 2024