TRANSCRIPT
They're a group of chemical elements vital for modern devices such as smartphones, electric cars, and wind turbines.
Global demand for rare earth minerals is growing, doubling in the eight years to 2023.
According to Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, Australia holds at least four per cent of the world's rare earth element reserves.
Extracting them from the ground is no easy task.
The Trotter family could soon be on the site of one of the world's largest rare earth mines outside China, after the Victorian government gave its final approval for the project.
The eldest son, Riley, is not looking forward to the prospect.
"(I feel) a bit sad. I have a lot of memories here. We learned to do everything here. We've got a lot of freedom. And yeah, a bit sad. They want to kick us out."
Farmers in the Wimmera region - in western Victoria - are among those in Australia facing the prospect of new rare earth mining projects.
Mother Sarah says they learnt the mine was approved from a local paper.
"So this is our family home where we want to bring up our kids - and even their grand kids here. We want it to last forever. They couldn't imagine living anywhere else. This is our home. We've worked really hard to get where we are. And we see the passion that we have for this farm. The legacy that there is."
The Trotters could lose up to 500 hectares of land to Astron Corporation's Donald Rare Earth & Mineral Sands mine, which could see operations just 200 metres from their family home.
Their grandfather still works on this farm. He is still here every day, still farms for my husband. The kids see that and they want that too! They want that relationship. They want that legacy and they want that relationship to go forward as well. And we want to be able to give that to them. And we may be able to. And that is not our fault. That is the government's (fault) for allowing this to happen to us. It's gut-wrenching."
Mining is expected to start in 2027 and continue until 2068.
The Trotters are concerned about dust, noise, traffic and light pollution from the mine - and say they’ll eventually be forced to move out.
"It comes under noise restrictions. So for a mining company, you can't fall within their noise re striction and then they will remove you from your home because of the noise."
The mining company says it plans to lease or buy land from affected farmers, actively monitor and minimise impacts and rehabilitate farmland after mining ends…
But the Trotters don’t want to leave.
"We're going to go until we can't go anymore. We're going to chain ourselves up to gates. We're going to put tractors in front of our farm. We are going to do what we can to stop this. We're not gonna go down quietly. And we have an amazing support system with families and friends. And there are so many people going through what we're going through. And everyone is sympathetic and empathetic - and we're all going to fight this until the end. We're going to go down easily."
She’s not alone.
In the regional centre of Horsham, locals have voiced their opposition.
"This is what we're facing. This is why basically; it shouldn't go ahead." (applause)
... hoping strength in numbers, will amplify their objections all the way to the government.
But others say there is a strong case for mining.
James Sorahan is the executive director of the Minerals Council of Australia's Victoria division.
"Co-existence is really important for all primary industries: farming and mining can co-exist; and do co-exist around Victoria. This is something that regional Australians can benefit from. In Victoria, we know from the gold mines - the five operating now - there are huge benefits locally. And we would expect to see the same rollout with mineral sands and rare earth mines.
"Victoria is the only state in the Murray Basin currently not mining mineral sands. We have done in the past. South Australia and New South Wales are. We need to be part of that story and make sure that Victorians can benefit from jobs and local businesses and suppliers; sharing that $570 million of spending just last year - just from five gold mines in Victoria."
There were residents SBS spoke to who supported the rare earth project, saying it would bring jobs and stimulate the economy. But they did not want to go on the record.
Those opposed to mining cite Iluka Resources’ Douglas mineral sands mine as a cautionary tale.
The mine operated from 2004 to 2012, after which it became a disposal site for radioactive waste material from Victorian and interstate mines.
Thirteen years later, rehabilitation efforts are ongoing - and due to completed by the end of the year.
SBS travelled to a farm in nearby Kanagulk, which leased land to the mine during its operations.
Horsham Mayor Ian Ross says the rehabilitation has been a long process.
"It hasn't happened. It is 20 years after rehab - and it (the land) is still not returned to cropping because the land is still slumping. And we are concerned that what mining companies claim they can do - in relation to rehabilitation to the real outcome of what happens afterwards."
"The states - they can believe they can co-exist with agriculture. But a faith statement like 'we believe' doesn't cut it. You need empirical scientific evidence that you can do it. And that is what we have not got."
The farm’s owner, who did not want to be identified, says he can no longer use some of his paddocks for growing crops, and now uses them for sheep grazing, which is not as profitable.
"I think it's just poor practice. It's not world's best practice, as we were promised. And it is not responsible mining. I think it's irresponsible."
Iluka Resources says the claims are unfounded and inaccurate and that their mining operation was in accordance with both federal and state regulations.
For fifth-generation farmer, Scott Johns, it’s the uncertainty causing concern.
"We don't know what's going to happen. I know WIM Resources, we've had a few meetings, but there is nothing put on the table. Nothing at all suggested as to compensation - how they want to go about doing this mining. Whether they're going to buy the land, whether they're going to lease the land, what sort of compensation we're expected to get. It has been very much a divide and conquer."
His farm is partly on the proposed site of WIM Resource’s Avonbank Mineral Sands Project.
The mine has received federal government approval and the decision to grant a mining licence now lies with Resources Victoria, following a community feedback period.
He wants to pass the land to his children, but WIM is proposing the development over a 38-year period for mining and processing, which will operate 24 hours every day of the year.
"Probably the biggest thing for me is what are we going to have when they've gone? The project is meant to last for 30 years. Who is going to own it in 30 years time? Who is going to take responsibility for it? And who is going to do the reclamation (returning the land to a better state)? And if the reclamation doesn't go right, who is going to pay for it?"
