Community Notification
SEPTEMBER 2026
Fosterville Gold Mine will soon be commencing exploration activities within public road reserves in the Goornong, Elmore, Hunter and Lockington areas.
The drilling forms part of FGM’s regional exploration program and will commence in late September 2026.
The drill holes will be located between roadsides and the adjacent private property boundary, on road reserves managed by Council. Working Within Road Reserve permits from both Bendigo Council and Campaspe Shire will administer all works undertaken in the road reserve.
The exploration activities are planned within exploration licenses EL006502, EL007792, EL007793, EL007794 and EL007795 permitted by Resources Victoria. The drill sites have been inspected by representatives from Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta to ensure the selected sites are clear of any items of cultural significance.
Drilling is planned along the following roadsides, see attached map/s:
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The program will utilise an Aircore (AC) drill rig which is a rapid method of low-impact exploration that returns fragmented rock chips to the surface via high pressure air circulation. It is anticipated between one and three AC holes will be drilled and grouted each day. Up to 200 drill holes are proposed for the program.
The program is expected to finish May 2027 weather permitting.
The drill sites have been selected to not inhibit access to farm gates, not obstruct drainage pathways to dams and to avoid buried utilities, including irrigation lines. A stand-off distance greater than 300m will be observed between all drill sites and residences. Drilling will occur between 7am and 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday (excluding Public Holidays). FGM personnel will undertake periodic noise monitoring at the nearest residences to ensure exploration activities comply with regulatory noise limits.
On completion, holes will be grouted to 1m below surface and then backfilled with native soil/material from the site.
For more information, please read our Aircore Drilling exploration method and the FGM Minerals Exploration Brochure.
Come and see us in person
The team will be available on:
Stay tuned for more dates and locations, which will be added once confirmed.
You can also find more information about Fosterville Gold Mine by visiting our website at fgmcommunity.com.au
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information provided in this letter, please contact FGM’s Community Team on 03 5439 9300 or email fgm.community@agnicoeagle.com.
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Agnico Eagle Fosterville acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungurung Peoples of the Kulin Nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.