Venture Minerals in breach of exploration license at Mt Lindsay. No we are not, says Venture

Tarkine National Coalition has today written to he Minister for Energy and Resources, Bryan Green to draw attention to the failure of Venture Minerals Ltd to comply with conditions of the exploration licence EL21/2005.
Venture acquired the tenement from Symorgh Investments Pty Ltd, and has not complied with the terms of the licence.

The granting of the exploration licence EL21/2005 was subject to a number of conditions, including an agreement that: “The explorer, Symorgh Investments Pty Ltd, shall advise Tarkine National Coalition Inc, PO Box 218, Burnie, and Tiger Trails, 65 Goulburn St, Hobart, of the nature and timing of proposed onground exploration activity at the time that approval for that activity is sought from Mineral Resources Tasmania.”

This condition has not been met in the five years since the signing of the agreement, and as such we believe Venture Minerals to be operating in breach of their licence conditions on EL21/2005. Tarkine National Coalition has attempted on three occasions to organise a meeting with Venture Minerals since November 2010, but has been unsuccessful in getting a date from the company.

“It is of great concern to the Tarkine National Coalition that Venture Minerals have not acted on our requests for a meeting to receive a briefing on their proposed Mt Lindsay mine. This is despite calls to the company going back to November 2010. We have serious concerns with new mining in the Tarkine, and believe we have acted in good faith to seek a meeting”, said Tarkine National Coalition’s Campaign Coordinator Scott Jordan.

“It is the opinion of Tarkine National Coalition that all activity on the tenement EL21/2005 should immediately cease, and that works not recommence until the conditions of the agreement are satisfied”.

• Malcolm Hillbeck of Venture Minerals, Mar 31:

“Venture Minerals has complied with all the conditions of EL21/2005, including corresponding with the Tarkine National Coalition by email as requested by the Tarkine National Coalition mining liaison team.

Furthermore Venture has taken great care to follow all of the environmental guidelines for mineral exploration as set out by Mineral Resources Tasmania.”