Submission to the Review of the Mineral Resources
Jan 6, 2010 14:42:30 GMT 12
Post by RKC on Jan 6, 2010 14:42:30 GMT 12
Submissions to the Review of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990
The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria Inc
Submission to the review of the mineral resources (sustainable development) Act 1990
Dredging
Dredging was a popular activity in Victoria until 1990 when the licence system was phased out. In 1983 there were 521 dredging licences issued and even in the final year that dredging was permitted, 151 licences were issued.
In 1993 the Victorian Parliament conducted an Inquiry into dredging. The findings of the majority report that upheld the 1990 ban on dredging were largely based on the precautionary principle backed by raw politics.
The Victorian Parliamentary Minority report 1994 recommended the reintroduction of amateur dredging in Victoria with certain conditions; however the advice of this report was never followed.
In 1995 dredging was reintroduced in New Zealand with a license system that recognises the difference between recreational and professional activity.
Recreational dredging using a venturi size of 150mm (6 inches) is a permitted activity and is regulated through a permit system.
The fact that recreational dredging remains a permitted activity in New Zealand fourteen years after its reintroduction is testament to the fact that the needs of the community and environment can be balanced against those of prospectors.
The PMAV therefore proposes that recreational dredging be allowed under the following conditions:
That maximum venturi size is restricted to 125mm (5 inches) diameter.
That dredging is restricted to a six month season from November 1st to April 30th.
That dredging is restricted to designated rivers and streams only.
That the hours of operation are restricted to 8.00am to 8.00pm.
That dredging is subject to the PMAV code of practise as established in the 1980s.
That dredging is allowed under the provisions of the Miners Right.
new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/whats-new/mrsda-review-stage1/prospectors-and-miners-association-of-victoria
MineLab Electronics: Submission to the Review of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990
Re-introduction of a Dredging Licence
In the 1980s educator dredging was a popular and very rewarding activity under the authority of a dredging licence, it was then banned due to a lot of lobbying from uninformed and highly emotional groups. As part of the review of the Act, a balanced investigation needs to be conducted that reviews the evidence for and opposed to dredging, with the view to reintroducing a specialised dredging licence
new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/whats-new/mrsda-review-stage1/minelab-electronics
Community Submissions:
Community Submission 2
Typically, alluvial deposits that deliver payable gold in this type of country, are too small in size to be of any interest to larger mining companies and too large for those just using a pick and shovel.
The ability for small scale miners, to operate at the micro level is not possible, due to the red tape and over prescriptive environmental policy. Furthermore, ecological management policy indicates a lack of peer review and scientific vigour, having the potential for far reaching consequences, across a broad spectrum of land management decision making.
This was highlighted during the Eductor Gold Dredging Parliamentary Enquiry where authorities like DNRE seemed to have little understanding of the way in which mountain rivers work. The veracity of information was questionable, misleading and misrepresented how mountain streams function.
While predictions were made of decades of stream bed instability and increased erosion instead we find today there is not one sign throughout Victoria of any past eductor gold dredging operations, even though hundreds of them were undertaken over a ten year period.
Eductor Gold Dredging is at the top of the list for environmentally friendly small scale mining techniques. In fact, it improves the quality and ecological sustainability of stream systems, by removing lead and metallic mercury.
new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/whats-new/mrsda-review-stage1/community-2
Regards,
Rob (RKC)
The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria Inc
Submission to the review of the mineral resources (sustainable development) Act 1990
Dredging
Dredging was a popular activity in Victoria until 1990 when the licence system was phased out. In 1983 there were 521 dredging licences issued and even in the final year that dredging was permitted, 151 licences were issued.
In 1993 the Victorian Parliament conducted an Inquiry into dredging. The findings of the majority report that upheld the 1990 ban on dredging were largely based on the precautionary principle backed by raw politics.
The Victorian Parliamentary Minority report 1994 recommended the reintroduction of amateur dredging in Victoria with certain conditions; however the advice of this report was never followed.
In 1995 dredging was reintroduced in New Zealand with a license system that recognises the difference between recreational and professional activity.
Recreational dredging using a venturi size of 150mm (6 inches) is a permitted activity and is regulated through a permit system.
The fact that recreational dredging remains a permitted activity in New Zealand fourteen years after its reintroduction is testament to the fact that the needs of the community and environment can be balanced against those of prospectors.
The PMAV therefore proposes that recreational dredging be allowed under the following conditions:
That maximum venturi size is restricted to 125mm (5 inches) diameter.
That dredging is restricted to a six month season from November 1st to April 30th.
That dredging is restricted to designated rivers and streams only.
That the hours of operation are restricted to 8.00am to 8.00pm.
That dredging is subject to the PMAV code of practise as established in the 1980s.
That dredging is allowed under the provisions of the Miners Right.
new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/whats-new/mrsda-review-stage1/prospectors-and-miners-association-of-victoria
MineLab Electronics: Submission to the Review of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990
Re-introduction of a Dredging Licence
In the 1980s educator dredging was a popular and very rewarding activity under the authority of a dredging licence, it was then banned due to a lot of lobbying from uninformed and highly emotional groups. As part of the review of the Act, a balanced investigation needs to be conducted that reviews the evidence for and opposed to dredging, with the view to reintroducing a specialised dredging licence
new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/whats-new/mrsda-review-stage1/minelab-electronics
Community Submissions:
Community Submission 2
Typically, alluvial deposits that deliver payable gold in this type of country, are too small in size to be of any interest to larger mining companies and too large for those just using a pick and shovel.
The ability for small scale miners, to operate at the micro level is not possible, due to the red tape and over prescriptive environmental policy. Furthermore, ecological management policy indicates a lack of peer review and scientific vigour, having the potential for far reaching consequences, across a broad spectrum of land management decision making.
This was highlighted during the Eductor Gold Dredging Parliamentary Enquiry where authorities like DNRE seemed to have little understanding of the way in which mountain rivers work. The veracity of information was questionable, misleading and misrepresented how mountain streams function.
While predictions were made of decades of stream bed instability and increased erosion instead we find today there is not one sign throughout Victoria of any past eductor gold dredging operations, even though hundreds of them were undertaken over a ten year period.
Eductor Gold Dredging is at the top of the list for environmentally friendly small scale mining techniques. In fact, it improves the quality and ecological sustainability of stream systems, by removing lead and metallic mercury.
new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/whats-new/mrsda-review-stage1/community-2
Regards,
Rob (RKC)