LOCAL environment groups have criticised Mantle Mining’s attempts to revegetate exploratory coal drilling sites.
Parwan Landcare member Simon Jolly said there was an “enormous difference” between restoration and revegetation of rare species of native grasses.
He said the Parwan grasslands had complex eco-systems.
“There are hundreds of species of grass … revegetation is simply planting grass, but you’re not restoring the original species.
“It’s so easy for weeds to take over. Often they use native grasses from northern Australia, which can do more damage than good down here.”
Mr Jolly said he visited the drill sites and the weed invasion was “quite depressing”.
“The old drill pads look green from a distance but you don’t have to get very close to see that the new growth is just weeds.
“What is worse, the disturbed sites are now acting as seed sources, and weeds are spreading into the intact grassland … and will smother out any native grassland plants in the coming years.
“The damage the drilling program is causing to our scarce remnant grasslands is bad enough, but this would pale to insignificance compared to the damage that the proposed strip mining would cause if it were to go ahead.”
But Mantle’s exploration manager Callum Lamont said he was proud of the care the company had taken with native flora and fauna close to drill sites.
Concern about environmental impacts was premature, he said.
“That’s what we’re investigating. We’re doing an inventory of what’s there and any obstacles.
“We’ll make decisions on the environmental, economic and social impacts once we have our final 3D analysis model. We can’t have the conversation without knowing what’s there.”
The claims come after Mantle announced further results to the Australian Stock Exchange, saying drilling at hole nine had concluded with a 67 per cent increase in resources.
Last month the company said brown coal quantity had “exceeded” expectations, with an 80per cent increase at the 10th hole.
Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin said quantity did not equate to quality.
“Everyone knows there’s loads of coal there, but I would suggest the quality is very poor.
“I really can’t see how an open cut mine with such poor quality coal could be viable.”
