There are pending silica sand mining exploration applications covering an area very close to our beautiful and iconic West Cape Howe National Park, and nearby beaches, located between Albany and Denmark. 

Our community, and visitors to the area, do not believe that silica mining can coexist with the current land use in the region. That is why we are calling on the government to stop these mining exploration licenses.

The area between Albany and Denmark is known for its rugged coastlines, beautiful beaches, agricultural value, and environment, being part of the South-west biodiversity hotspot. Hundreds of thousands of visitors choose this region every year for experiences such as enjoying the natural beauty, hiking the Bibbulmun Track, cycling the Munda Biddi trail, swimming, surfing, bird watching, rock climbing, paragliding, hang gliding, bushwalking, camping, and fishing. The area includes priority agriculture and general agriculture zones to safeguard the shrinking areas where our food can be grown. 

The pending exploration licenses cover parts of Marbelup, Elleker, Torbay, Bornholm and Kronkup. They include over 200 private properties that are mainly farmers and 28 reserves. These licenses would cover parts of Marbelup Brook, and the Albany groundwater area, a Public Drinking Water Source Area that feeds into a designated drinking water catchment, one of the most significant aquifers in this region.

The area of the four proposed licenses extends:

• close to Cosy Corner Beach and the campground.
• close to Lake Powell Nature Reserve, global bird watching hotspot..
• along the Lower Denmark Road, a designated scenic route.
• across multiple tourism-based businesses.
• across the Munda Biddi off-road cycling trail.

Mining in the area puts at risk important agricultural land, water catchments and native habitat.

Threats of mining in this area include

• dieback spread, biosecurity risks.
• impacts on the Critically Endangered Western Ringtail Possum.
• acid sulfate soil disturbance, contamination of our priority drinking water, lowered water table, land clearing, and run-off into inlets and national parks.
• public health effects due to dust pollution (silicosis), water pollution and noise pollution. 

Silica mines typically operate 24 hours a day, with significant infrastructure, noise, lights, and heavy vehicle operations. Silica mines can be expected to have:

• a minimum life of 21 years.
• the use of significant amounts of water per day.
• a processing facility (pollution and emissions) on site.
• road trains to transport processed product to the port of Albany.

The exploration company, Mac Sand Pty Ltd, registered in Western Australia on 21 May, 2021 with 4 shareholders from Hong Kong, British Virgin Islands, Coolgardie and Willeton. Just under 80% of shares are held by investors in Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands, known tax havens. It is probable that mining profits will go overseas, without benefitting West Australians. 

If you

• do not agree with the current proposals for exploration or mining of silica-rich sand…
• are concerned this may cause irreversible damage to our landscape and water systems…
• believe exploration proposals do not fit with current land uses and environmental values in the area…

Then please sign this petition and share it with as many people as you know to show your support for the Great Southern Region’s Environment, Agriculture, Tourism, and Water Security.

As Tom Gleeson has said: “The best way to stop a mine is to make sure it never starts”