New tailings dam at Ballarat goldmine will not increase risk to residents, operators say

Residents are opposed a new tailings dam which is being built at the Ballarat goldmine at Mount Clear, saying it is unsafe to build it less than 400m from existing homes. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian

Administrators of the Ballarat goldmine have said the proposed new tailings dam will operate safely despite residents’ concerns about its close proximity to housing.

The mine was recently granted a permit for a fourth storage facility in Mount Clear, just 100m from houses and close to an aged care facility and primary schools.