Farmers refusing mining explorers

Nick PERRY JOURNALIST

LOCKING THE GATE… Paskeville farmers Brenton Drewett and Neil Harrop are refusing to let mining exploration company Marmota Energy onto their land, which could land them in court.

PASKEVILLE farmers are concerned they could be taken to court after refusing to allow mineral exploration on their land. Marmota Energy wants to drill for copper south of Paskeville, but landowners are declining the company’s requests.

They have now received letters from a law firm, on behalf of Marmota, mentioning the possibility of legal action.

Under the Mining Act, cultivated fields are exempt from exploration although mining companies can challenge that in court. Farmer Neil Harrop is worried if the company takes him to court and wins, it will set a dangerous precedent which could affect farmers’ rights throughout Yorke Peninsula and beyond. “A judge might wonder what the harm is in letting them have access to drill a few holes, but we’re looking at what happened to people around the Rex (Hillside) mine,” Mr Harrop said. “If they were to start a mine on our property it would affect our neighbours and the whole district. “In hindsight, we shouldn’t have let Marmota drill on our land the first time, but we were naive. “Luckily that waiver (to allow Marmota access) was dated and it ran out, which is why they need us to waive the exemption again and let them back on.” Mr Harrop’s neighbour Brenton Drewett is also refusing to sign another waiver. “The big picture is we don’t want prime agricultural land ruined for the rest of existence just for five years of mining,” Mr Drewett said.

Marmota managing director David Williams said the company will continue trying to engage with the landholders. “Mineralisation on this land looks promising but we still can’t know what’s there, and therefore whether it is of a size and grade that makes it commercial, without more drilling,” Mr Williams said. Mr Williams said if Marmota’s project became a mine it would be much smaller than that originally proposed by Rex Minerals near Pine Point, yet would create significant benefits for employment and service demand. “If we search and don’t find a commercial quantity of copper, the landowners will unlikely have any other mining explorers seeking access to their properties,” Mr Williams said.

“Everyone will know that Marmota has thoroughly explored the area and found nothing commercial. “If we don’t explore, there will be others — the next company will try, and the company after that — and they might not be as friendly.”