WITH applications now open for minerals exploration in parts of western Victoria, including around the Grampians and near Hamilton, companies can now search for a range of different resources in the ground – but the ripple effects may extend further than just in the areas close to the research activity.

Some locals north of Glenthompson cite environmental issues and aren’t keen to see the drilling following the lifting on May 2 of an exemption which temporarily restricted minerals activities across an area of around 11,000 square kilometres.