A new project for East Gippsland
Gippsland Critical Minerals is developing the Fingerboards Project to responsibly access a nationally significant deposit of rare earth elements and critical minerals, materials essential to technologies that drive clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence and medical innovation.
Latest update
Come and chat with us across East Gippsland
From September to December you can speak with our team across drop-in sessions, pop-up stalls, online webinars, a new ‘Ask the Expert’ session and even at this year’s Bairnsdale Show.
No bookings. No formalities. Just drop by, ask any questions and get the facts about Fingerboards.
Find a session near you
Ask the Expert
Talk to the specialists doing the EES studies
Six topic areas covering the EES process, radiation, air quality, surface water, noise and social impact. Online on Wednesday 19 August, and in person at The Hub in Bairnsdale from 5.00pm on Thursday 20 August.
Project rescopingÂ
The redesigned Fingerboards Project will undertake an Environment Effects Statement (EES)
The Victorian Minister for Planning has determined the Fingerboards Project will undertake an Environment Effects statement (EES), recognising it as a materially different proposal to the one considered in 2021.
The Minister’s determination recognises the key changes we’ve made, including the project’s size and scope, tailings management, dust controls and water sourcing, setting the project on Victoria’s most comprehensive and transparent approvals pathway.
For our community, it gives you a formal opportunity to have your say on what matters most to you, whether that’s good local jobs and training, stronger businesses, rail freight, water infrastructure, rehabilitation and restoration, or lasting community benefits.
We have been advised that the EES process is expected to take around 18 months. GCM is now preparing to commence the scoping phase, which includes a public exhibition of the final scopes of studies and an opportunity for you to have your say.
Environmental Assessment
18 months
The Environment Effects Statement (EES) process is expected to take around 18 months, with multiple opportunities for public submission.Â
The Environment Effects Statement (EES) process is expected to take around 18 months, with multiple opportunities for public submission.Â
Buffer zone
1.5 kilometres
A 1.5 kilometre buffer will separate mining from the Lindenow Valley Horticultural Area, significantly reducing the risk of windblown dust reaching farms and crops.Â
A 1.5 kilometre buffer will separate mining from the Lindenow Valley Horticultural Area, significantly reducing the risk of windblown dust reaching farms and crops.Â
Smaller footprint
27% reductionÂ
The mining footprint has been reduced by 27%, with mining exclusion zones established in the Perry, Simpson and Lucas gullies. Â
The mining footprint has been reduced by 27%, with mining exclusion zones established in the Perry, Simpson and Lucas gullies.Â
Latest Updates
The latest news from GCM
Edition 8 of the Fingerboards Project newsletter is out now, with a look at how far the Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit...
Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM) is encouraging locals to have their say on the Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project draft Environment Effects Statement (EES)...
GCM held its seventh Community Reference Group (CRG) meeting on 15 May 2026. The meeting notes and slides have now been reviewed...
We will be out across East Gippsland between now and Christmas, and you are welcome at any of it. Drop-in sessions and...
Proof, not promises
Demonstration Pit
Works have commenced on a Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit (MRDP), a reduced-scale trial that tests our approach to mining, dust management, water, tailings and rehabilitation. The MRDP is an important part of the technical work informing the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and a condition of GCM’s retention licence, which requires us to undertake large-scale rehabilitation trials. More than 20 East Gippsland businesses have been appointed to support the works, sharing over $1.4 million in contracts across activities ranging from earthworks to fencing and site mobilisation.
Community engagement
GCM is genuine about engaging with the local community about the Fingerboards Project by listening to feedback, sharing information and providing opportunities to help shape a better project and maximise the benefits it brings to the region.
Community engagement opportunities are part of a multi-year process to develop a new and better project for East Gippsland. GCM understands the critical importance of listening to feedback, particularly as part of rescoping work so we can incorporate community views into our proposal.
Transparency & Communication
We will be transparent about information and respond to communities’ concerns in a timely, open and effective manner.
Integrity & Trust
We will undertake all engagement activities in a manner that fosters mutual respect and builds trust and confidence by exploring communities’ values and interests and in finding common ground.
Respect & Inclusiveness
We will respect and recognise the rights, cultural beliefs, values and interests of the communities in the land and waters within and surrounding its project area.
Access Resources
Transparency is at the core of our operations
We recognise the need to do things differently and have re-scoped development to reduce and mitigate environmental impacts. Every step of the way we will be releasing our plans and activities to the public for scrutiny and engagement.
Read on
Annual Summary of Quarterly Reports
Our annual report provides an overview of our work to date and how we are progressing towards developing a new project.Â
Talk to us
We want to hear from you
We are committed to open engagement and communication. Whether you have a question, a suggestion, or simply want to learn more, we want to hear from you.