Rare Earth Mining

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (14:56): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development about rare earth mining.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD: Australian Rare Earths has been exploring for valuable rare earth minerals at forest plantations and farming properties in the state's southern region of Koppamurra, near Naracoorte in the Limestone Coast. The four rare minerals found are used in electrical vehicles, wind turbines and other sustainable alternatives. It is my understanding that extracting the minerals will involve removing significant amounts of soil, which will be put back after extraction and rehabilitated. Many farmers I have spoken to have expressed serious concerns that the proposed process will harm soil health, compaction and productivity.

At a meeting with the Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association local vignerons, farmers and business people expressed the view that the project is one of the greatest economic, environmental and social threats to ever face their community. As the minister is aware, as it is home to her and I, the Limestone Coast is one of the state's largest economic powerhouses. My questions to the Minister for Primary Industries are:

1. Has she met with the Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association?

2. Does the minister have any information that could alleviate the community's concerns?

3. Does the minister support rare earth mining in highly productive agricultural areas, such as Koppamurra?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for his question. I have met with a number of sectors that have raised concerns about the proposal in terms of mining rare earths. I am confident that here in South Australia we have robust frameworks in place before any approvals are ever granted and I have certainly spoken with the Minister for Mining in the other place about this. He has certainly reassured me in terms of the robustness of the frameworks. I think that is something that as South Australians we can be very proud of, that we have frameworks in place which are robust, which are set out clearly for those who seek to utilise any of the resources that are so important to our state.

In terms of the agricultural sector, I might also add that the forestry sector is also one of those that have raised this issue and I am sure that it will continue to be a topic of discussion and close attention.