Community Notification
OCTOBER 2025
Roadside exploration drilling commencing mid October
Fosterville Gold Mine (FGM), is planning exploration activities within public road reserves in the Goornong, Elmore, and Hunter areas. The drilling forms part of FGM’s regional exploration program and will commence in mid-October 2025.
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 Bendigo Council will administer all works undertaken in the road reserve.
The exploration activities are planned with exploration licenses EL007793 and EL007794 permitted by Resources Victoria.
The drill sites have been inspected by Dja Dja Wurrung representatives to ensure the selected sites are clear of any items of cultural significance.
Drilling is planned along the following roadsides (see map):
| Holmes Rd | Carrs Rd | Cowans Rd |
| Avonmore-Mayreef | Scotts Rd | Parsons Rd |
| Elmore-Minto Rd | Connells Rd | Doyles Ln |
| Elmore-Mitiamo Rd | Drummartin Rd | Hunter Rd |
The program will utilise an Air Core (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 70 drill holes are proposed for the program. The program is expected to finish during mid to late December 2025.
Among other things, 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 5pm, Monday to Saturday. 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 Air Core Drilling fact sheet and the FGM Minerals Exploration flyer.
Visit our stand at Elmore Field Days
The FGM team will be attending the Elmore Field Days, and the exploration team will be on hand if you have any questions about the AC program. Our display will be located next to the FGM Community Health Hub with an Air Core drill rig also on display.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information provided above, please contact FGM’s Community Team on 03 5439 9300 or email fgm.community@agnicoeagle.com.
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