00:00South Australia's limestone coast is one of the state's agricultural powerhouses.
00:08But for Ken Turner, his mixed farming property has attracted the interest of mining companies
00:14hunting for rare earth elements.
00:16They believe there are viable quantities of mineral under the ground here.
00:22Mr Turner's property lies within a 20 square kilometre area earmarked for potential mining.
00:28The fledgling Kuppamurra project is part of a wave of development aimed at digging up
00:33the rare earth elements needed to build electric vehicles and wind turbines.
00:38We see a great opportunity for Australia to develop the rare earth industry.
00:44It's a potential to provide jobs and investment.
00:47Most of the world's rare earths come from China, but the push is on to develop a local
00:51industry to supply Australia's trading partners.
00:54So I see South Australia's role is actually being, potentially being that trusted, secure
01:00supply of these resources.
01:02The environmental credentials of the Kuppamurra project are still being assessed and any potential
01:07mining here is still several years away.
01:10But local producers are concerned about the potential impacts on this rich agricultural
01:15land.
01:16An opposition group chaired by farmer Todd Woodard is concerned about how any future
01:21mine here would be rehabilitated.
01:23Putting the macro-minerals back in there, the phosphorus and that sort of thing is one
01:27thing, putting the biology back in there is completely different.
01:31While Ken Turner shares some of the group's concerns, he's waiting for more information.
01:36We value our soils, we value our water, we value the environment we live in, so we will
01:42be looking very closely when they have a proposal.
01:46A critical issue for Australia's food and financial security.
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