State minister for energy and resources Lily D’Ambrosio said the cash bonds of up to $20,000 from the government, rather than forcing them to go though bank guarantee, would make it easier for Victorian small miners and prospectors. 

About 800 operators across Victoria will be eligible to apply for the bonds for environmental rehabilitation, which Minister D’Ambrosio could save them up to $600 annually in administration costs. 

Local mining engineer Noel Laidlaw said the step would help, but emphasised unfair native vegetation laws were the biggest issue facing the small-mining industry. 

“It will (help). It’s not big, but even a little win is a win,” Mr Laidlaw said. 

“We would be looking to go to untangle quite a lot of that red tape that exists.”

“There is no doubt the biggest issue that is facing the industry is the fact that the current native vegetation clearance regulations don't fit very well with the mining industry, in terms of a temporary occupation.”

He said the previous minister had told the group of prospectors the regulations were designed for land developers who build concrete carparks that would prevent the environment from returning to its natural state, not small-scale miners who would clear land and then were bound to restore it. 

“We’re not saying that native vegetation rules shouldn't apply, but they've got to be applied fairly to our temporary occupation,” Mr Laidlaw said. 

“We all need things that come out of the ground, whether it's gravel for the roads, concrete for your building, gold for your jewellery, copper for your mobile phones, it's got to come out of the ground somewhere, so it's got to be done in an environmentally sustainable way.”

Ms D’Ambrosio heard the concerns of local small-scale miners and quarry operators, who pushed for clearer communication between the resources and environmental departments. 

“We should make things easier for the salt of the earth … we are reducing an administrative burden … without diminishing the value of the rehabilitation bond,” Ms D’Ambrosio said. 

Ms D’Ambrosio used her Bendigo trip to meet with local manufacturers to discuss the future of the industry, and visited the Kangaroo Flat gold mine site. She said her department last week received paperwork for the transfer of that licence from Unity Mining and GBM Gold. 

“The department is carefully considering the application … unless all those stringent tests are met... there will be no transferral,” she said. 

EARLIER: SMALL-SCALE miners and quarry operators in the region will receive cash bonds from the state government to cover environmental rehabilitation at their sites, the state government has announced.

About 800 operators across Victoria will be eligible to apply for the bonds of up to $20,000.

Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the cash bond options would make it easier for small mining operators to do business.

“It ensures the cost of mining site rehabilitation is covered, benefiting industry, the community and the environment,” she said. 

“We are delivering on our commitment to ensure we have a strong resources industry, while safeguarding community confidence and the environment.”