{{Short description|Former mine in Victoria, Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox mine | name = Douglas Mine | image = | width = | caption = | pushpin_map = Victoria | pushpin_label = Douglas Mine | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|37|07|36|S|141|47|10|E|type:landmark_region:AU-VIC_dim:3000|display=inline,title}} | place = Kanagulk | subdivision_type = | state/province = Victoria | country = Australia | owner = Iluka Resources | official website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20161231212756/http://www.iluka.com/company-overview/operations/operations/murray-basin-victoria-australia www.iluka.com] | acquisition year = | products = Heavy Minerals | financial year = | amount = | opening year = 2006 | closing year = 2012 }}
The '''Douglas Mine''', also known as the Douglas and Echo Mine, is a mineral sands mine near the town of Balmoral, Victoria, Australia. It was established in 2006 to mine rutile and zircon, and then closed in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iluka.com/company-overview/operations/operations/murray-basin-victoria-australia |title=Murray Basin, Victoria, Australia |website=Iluka Resources|access-date=28 May 2018 }}</ref> Watpac estimated that it extracted 7.5 million tonnes of mineral sands from the mine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.watpac.com.au/project/douglas-and-echo-mines/ |title=Douglas & Echo Mines |website=Watpac |access-date=28 May 2018 }}</ref> ==Closure== Iluka Resources stated that it is committed to rehabilitating the site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iluka.com/company-overview/operations/operations/murray-basin-victoria-australia |title=Murray Basin, Victoria, Australia |website=Iluka Resources|access-date=28 May 2018 }}</ref> However ''The Age'' reported that Iluka Resources was seeking approval to continue to operate the Douglas mine site as a dumping ground for up to 20 years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Willingham |first=Richard |date=28 June 2015 |title=Horsham Council debates Iluka Resources mining dump site at Kanagulk |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/horsham-council-debates-iluka-resources-mining-dump-site-at-kanagulk-20150628-ghzv8r.html |work=The Age|access-date=28 May 2018 }}</ref> ''ABC News'' reported that radioactive gas, a byproduct of the mineral sand mining, had been reported at levels that exceeded the maximum for public exposure.<ref>{{cite news|title=Radioactive gas levels at Wimmera mining site near Horsham too high says Landcare group |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-29/fears-aired-over-radioactive-gas-levels-at-wimmera/6579670 |work=ABC News|date=29 June 2015 |access-date=28 May 2018 }}</ref>
After the mine closed, ''The Wimmera Mail-Times'' reported that local landowners were concerned that the levels of air and water contamination were not being independently monitored.<ref>{{cite news |last=Scully |first=Sarah |date=13 February 2015 |title=Kanagulk Landcare Group calls for Iluka Resources to put up a bond for Douglas proposal |url=https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/2879549/kanagulk-landcare-group-calls-for-iluka-resources-to-put-up-a-bond-for-douglas-proposal-photos/ |work=The Wimmera Mail Times |access-date=28 May 2018 }}</ref> However, the Environment Protection Authority declared that it found that neither pollution or environmental hazard has occurred nor is likely to occur in the future as a result of current and proposed disposal activities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/licences-and-approvals/public-participation/featured-applications/iluka-douglas-mine-site/iluka-douglas-mine-site-archive |title=Iluka Douglas mine site archive |date=8 December 2016 |website=Environment Protection Authority|access-date=28 May 2018 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Mines in Victoria}}
Category:Mines in Victoria (state) Category:Zirconium mines in Australia Category:2006 establishments in Australia Category:2012 disestablishments in Australia Category:Shire of Southern Grampians