Fostering the relationship between farmers and miners in South Australia

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Drilling for coal near farmland Image credit: flickr User: Earthwatcher

Two companion booklets have been published to help build a better mutual understanding between farmers and the mining industry in South Australia.

Drilling for coal near farmland  Image credit: flickr User:  Earthwatcher
Drilling for coal near farmland
Image credit: flickr User: Earthwatcher

Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, launched the two guides at the 7th Annual Mining South Australia conference at Whyalla.

According to the media release from South Australia’s Department of Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE), the booklets “Understanding dryland farming” and “Understanding mineral exploration” are aimed at providing farmers and miners with an overview of the other’s operations and business cycle.

The Minister further added that mutual understanding between the two sectors is crucial in order to ensure minimal disruption and disturbance to each other’s businesses.

“These two companion booklets have been developed with the input of both the farming and mineral exploration sectors,” Mr. Koutsantonis said.

Adertisement

“The aim is to build an appreciation and understanding of each other’s businesses so that we can better manage the interaction between farmers and explorers for the benefit of this State.”

The booklets were compiled with contributions from DMITRE, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), as well as farming and exploration companies.

“These companion booklets build on the Eyre Peninsula Land Use Support Program or EPLUS that has been developed to assist farming businesses and local industries better cope with the arrival of mining and exploration in their communities,” Mr. Koutsantonis said.

“The $588,000 two-year collaborative program will give farming communities in the region access to the information they need to understand and respond to any concerns triggered by potential mining activity.”

According to the Minister, the aim is to develop local skill and awareness on how to interact with exploration and mining by understanding the regulations surrounding the various activities and the various services that are available.

EPLUS was developed as a direct result of feedback from Eyre Peninsula landholders.