PERTH (CU)_Chalice Mining has finally received long-awaited approvals to work inside a state forest in Western Australia, which would mean one of Australia’s most anticipated mineral exploration targets is now set to be drilled. Back in March 2020, the Perth-based mining company discovered a highly prospective nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit in a farmland in Gonneville, about 60km north-east of Perth.
However, aerial surveys suggest that the discovery may be just the tip of the iceberg, with mineral deposits potentially extending into the adjacent Julimar State Forest. This is why Chalice had to wait longer than usual to get permission to conduct exploration drilling, as environmental campaigners called on the government of Western Australia to deny access, owing concerns over the potential impact on biodiversity in the region including vulnerable species like the chuditch or western quoll.
However, their appeals appear to have been rejected as Chalice announced that had been granted approval to drill 70 holes inside the forest. “Chalice’s drilling will not involve any mechanised clearing of vegetation and strict environmental management measures will be used to minimise impact to the environment,” said the company in a statement. “Small drill rigs will navigate around trees and maximise the use of existing cleared areas in order to keep disturbance to a minimum.”
Meanwhile, ahead of the news on Thursday, Chalice shares had slumped 55 per cent since they peaked in November last year, which was the company published a maiden mineral estimate for the Gonneville deposit. At the time, some experts declared it to be the best platinum deposit found in Australia so far.
Despite, opposition among environmental campaigners, the mining company’s managing director and CEO, Alex Dorsch, is of the view that local residents share the Australian government’s support for the extraction of critical minerals at places like the Julimar forest. “Even the hardened, green-leaning environmentalists are starting to make the connection that mining these metals has overwhelmingly a net benefit to the environment at a global scale, and not just by decarbonising and tackling climate change but also cleaning air,” he told The Australian Financial Review.
