Koppamurra rare earths mining project signs deal with federal government

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The company behind a proposed rare earths mining project in South Australia’s south east has signed a deal with the government, bringing it one step closer to becoming a reality. But local farmers are worried about the growing push to extract more critical minerals and fear their concerns will go unheard.

Transcript

00:00This land has some of the best soil for farming in South Australia.

00:07It could also help the country meet global demand for critical minerals.

00:11As the Western world looks to diversify supply chains there's going to be a critical need for rare earths

00:18and in particular heavy rare earths which our deposit at Copper Murrah is very enriched with.

00:24Australian rare earths wants to mine in the Rattanbully region in the state's southeast.

00:29The state government has approved its initial scoping study and the company has signed a deal with the federal government

00:35to use a new processing plant being built by Australia's nuclear science and technology organisation.

00:42Without the integrated supply chain it's very hard to be sidestepping some of the strategic issues that are faced globally.

00:53But here in Rattanbully farmers are concerned their land won't be the same once mining wraps up.

00:58They say their concerns aren't being heard.

01:01Our livestock industry is in a boom time. We could be capitalising more and more on that.

01:05You know we've got world demand, serious demand for our product.

01:09Everybody who relies on farms and this area being so productive strips their futures as well.

01:16Australian rare earths says locals will play a part in the planning process.

01:21Here in South Australia we have a robust regulatory process with strict rules that we intend to meet.

01:28The company is expected to apply for a mining lease next year.

01:31Uprooted by the company Actor's

01:31Uprooted by the company's

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