Contributing as specialist technicians, Ventia's Environmental Monitoring team is providing baseline groundwater and surface water monitoring services for Kalbar Resources' (Kalbar's) Fingerboards Mineral Sands project in Gippsland, Victoria.

The findings will be used in the environmental effects statement being prepared ahead of development of the Glenaladale minerals sands deposit. The statement identifies environmental and social aspects of the project. The potential impacts of the project on the groundwater and surface water environment rely on a suitable understanding of the baseline conditions.

Kalbar's policy to use local businesses for goods and services and employ local people where possible means Ventia's Maffra team, who is delivering the work over the next 12 months, is well positioned with all its members residing within 20 kilometres of the development.

Mineral sands are ancient beach sands that contain concentrations of minerals including zircon, rutile and ilmenite (titanium minerals). Zircon is rare and one of the most valuable heavy minerals. The minerals are used in a range of everyday products including smart phones, magnets, tiles, paint, plastics, electronics, medical products, foodstuffs, toothpaste and sunscreen.