Venture’s Tarkine mine a risky investment, shareholders reminded

Venture Mineral shareholders were again reminded of the risks of the company’s proposed open-cut mine in Tasmania’s spectacular Tarkine region with a public protest outside the company’s annual general meeting in Perth today.

The site of the proposed Mt Lindsay mine has well-documented National and World Heritage Values and is part of a broader region proposed by conservation groups for proper protection as part of a Tarkine National Park and World Heritage Area.

“The Tarkine is an area of outstanding global significance with diverse values including ancient Aboriginal heritage, wild river systems, spectacular landscapes and habitat for more than 60 threatened species, including the giant freshwater crayfish and the Tasmanian devil,” said Wilderness Society spokesperson Liz Johnstone.

“Today we are reminding Venture shareholders that mining in an area as significant as the Tarkine not only threatens this amazing landscape and the survival of endangered species such as the Tasmanian devil, but it risks their investment.”

Less than 5% of the Tarkine region is adequately protected with National Park status that prioritises conservation over destructive activities like mining. Much of the rest, while recognised under Tasmania’s Nature Conservation Act as a reserve, allows mining and the extensive and irreparable damage of open cut pits, rock dumps, tailings dams and on site roading infrastructure.

“Venture Minerals’ signature mine proposal would wipe out ancient rainforest to carve an open cut pit and dump millions of tonnes of rock on the flanks of Mt Lindsay,” Ms Johnstone said.

“Mining in the Tarkine’s globally significant conservation reserves is of international shame and a proposal shareholders should re-consider.”

• Tarkine Campaign Coordinator, Scott Jordan: Venture Minerals continues to keep investors in the dark