Update: The application has been withdrawn, well done.
An exploration licence application to sample the mineral content of the sand that is being pumped by the Tweed Sand Bypass at Fingal Head NSW to the Gold Coast beaches was advertised in the Tweed Valley Weekly Public Notices on 19th Feb.
Minerals sought include Rutile, Zircon and Ilmenite.
If sampling is successful the aim is to build a processing plant next to / connected to the Sand Bypass to extract these heavy minerals from the pumped sand.
The extracted minerals would be trucked out through Fingal Head.
We don’t know the specific method of extraction or its actual impacts but concerns from initial research of such activities include:
1. Fine sediments can be created from sand processing. These fines could continue to remobilise in rough seas with potential for sediment plumes to smother the marine life of Cook Island Aquatic Reserve and Kirra Reef and affect estuarine sea grass.
2. If chemicals such as flocculants are used to separate the heavy minerals, residues may enter these fragile ecosystems.
3. The tiny seaside hamlet and popular tourist spot of Fingal Head is totally unsuitable for heavy trucks. The roads, including the 2km dirt section of Letitia Rd are totally inadequate, with a section around Kerosene Bay that would no doubt collapse into the Bay which is a State Significant wetland area.
Stay tuned for more info on how to have your say.
