Frequently Asked Questions
WIM Resource Pty Ltd is a privately owned Australian heavy mineral sands resource development company and is an emerging major producer of mainly zircon and titanium minerals.
The mine is located near Dooen (15 kilometres north east of Horsham in Victoria).
We anticipate construction to start late 2026 or early 2027 subject to approvals and finance.
We anticipate the mine to be operational in late 2028 or early 2029 subject to approvals and finance.
Avonbank will have an operational life of 36 years using a ‘moving hole’ design with progressive backfilling and rehabilitation.
A maximum of 340 hectares of land will be under mining operations at any one time. Disturbed areas will be progressively rehabilitated, with individual mining cells typically rehabilitated within around four years.
Mining and processing operations are proposed to operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, in line with regulatory approvals and management plans.
Approximately 200 direct jobs through construction and 232 direct jobs during mining operations.
Expressions of interest for employment and business opportunities can be submitted via the WIM Resource website
or by contacting the WIM Community Information Hub Horsham directly.
The Victorian Government (the Crown) owns the State’s mineral resources (as per the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990.
Under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (Vic), mining licence holders are required to obtain landowners’ consent before accessing private land.
If access is denied, the licensee must negotiate a compensation agreement with the landowner. In cases where an agreement cannot be reached, either party can seek mediation through the Mining Warden or refer the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and Supreme Court (VCAT) for resolution or determination of a compensation amount.
Zircon, titanium, and minor by-product rare earth minerals
Zircon: ceramics, dentistry, iPhones, fuel cells, pumps and valves, pistons, toothpaste, optic fibre plugs
Titanium: sunscreen, paint, white paper, engines, welding rod electrodes, aeroplane parts, knee replacements
Rare Earths: medical hardware (X-Rays), battery storage, hybrid cars, wind-powered turbines, UV filters in glass, mobile phones, speakers and headphones, camera, and telescope lenses
Avonbank will be an open-cut mining operation with progressive backfilling and rehabilitation of mining areas. A ‘moving hole’ mining method will enable rapid site rehabilitation and minimise the disruption to productive agricultural land use. This method involves the direct return of tailings and overburden into the mined cell as the mining front advances. This enables the landform and soil profile to be progressively restored.
We process the ore using wet gravity separation – spirals are used to concentrate the heavier mineral (valuable) from the lighter (non-valuable) minerals which are known as tailings.
Naturally occurring radioactive materials exist in our natural surroundings, including soil, rock, the food we eat, and cosmic rays from the sun, which contribute to ‘background’ radiation.
While the Ore and Heavy Mineral Concentrate produced at Avonbank is classified as a radioactive material, the levels are low and will be managed in line with the Radiation Act.
The amount of radiation is expected to be well below the Department of Health regulatory limit and not likely discernible from the natural background levels, outside operational areas.
Key controls on the HMC stockpiles are to maintain moisture levels in stockpiles using sprinklers and to restrict public access to the HMC area. Haulage trucks will be covered to prevent spillage.
Modelling was conducted to characterise the project’s potential dust contribution outside operational areas.
Over the 12-month modelling period, the project-related increment for dust was a small fraction of the existing background levels and remained well below the EPA air pollution assessment criteria.
The average annual cumulative contribution (background plus project) remained below the EPA air pollution assessment criteria.
Metals in deposited dust were found to pose a negligible risk to the general public and surrounding agricultural land.
An Air Quality Management Plan will ensure the risk to human health and the environment is minimised, in line with regulatory requirements.
In summary, project-related dust is expected to be a very small fraction of the existing background dust levels and will remain well below the EPA air pollution assessment criteria.
Groundwater impacts were assessed as part of the Environmental Effects Statement process and can be managed to acceptable levels with the implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures.
A Groundwater Management Plan will be prepared prior to Project commencement to avoid and minimise groundwater impacts.
Surface water impacts were assessed as part of the Environmental Effects Statement process and can be managed to acceptable levels with the implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures.
A Surface Water Management Plan will be prepared prior to Project commencement to avoid and minimise groundwater impacts.
Average water use is 5 ML/day per day of growth water, made available for mineral sand mining and other sectors, following a surplus of water generated by the installation of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
During commissioning and the first two years of operations, peak daily demand may be higher (up to approximately 17.2 ML/day), before reducing to an average of around 5 ML/day from year three onwards.
GWMWater has conducted an assessment of regional water availability and infrastructure capacity to ensure the volume allocated can be sustainably supplied without adversely affecting other users or environmental flows.
GWMWater’s Urban and Rural Water Strategy has modelled future scenarios over a 50-year planning horizon to assess the medium to long-term water security for urban and rural users under a range of water demand and climate scenarios that will influence water resource. To learn more, visit the GWM Water website: https://www.gwmwater.org.au/news/866-gwmwater-involvement-in-local-mining-projects.
Operational activities over the life of the mine were assessed and showed noise levels below the assessment criteria, with noise mitigation measures at residential properties outside of the mine footprint.
During construction, the majority of the workforce will be provided by contractors for the project, including local and regional contractors and subcontractors.
A workforce accommodation strategy is currently being developed to manage potential impacts on the local accommodation and housing.
A Community Support Fund will be established for the life of the project, and a Community Grants Program is available and currently open for applications. This builds on current sponsorships and financial support WIM currently provides.
The proposed HMC haulage route includes sealed roads gazetted for the types of vehicles generated by the Project, to the Port of Portland for bulk sea freight overseas. Trucks will be limited to 2 per hour between 10pm and 6am
Current restrictions on the Maroona-Portland rail line, the lack of bulk-loading facilities at the Dooen rail terminal, and Port-end restrictions mean it is not currently viable to transport the HMC via train, but it will be periodically reevaluated.
A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP), approved by Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) is required for the project. Ongoing engagement with all stakeholders and community members including Traditional Owners will continue throughout the project.
These can be accessed on the WIM Resource website via the following link
https://wimresource.com.au/project/avonbank/mininglicenceapplication/
Visit the WIM Community Information Hub 83 Firebrace St, Horsham, open five days per week, 9am-5pm, phone Free Call 1800 959 298 or email admin@wimresource.com.au
In person: You can visit us at our Community Information Hub at 83 Firebrace St, Horsham, Monday – Friday (9am-5pm)
- Free call information line: 1800 959 298
- Company Website: https://wimresource.com.au/
- Online Information Hub: https://wimresource.com.au/avonbankinformationhub/
- Mining Licence Program of Work Summary and Environment & Community Summary: https://wimresource.com.au/project/avonbank/mininglicenceapplication/
EES Information: https://www.avonbankproject.com.au/