A LARGE mining exploration licence application, which covers Armidale and the surrounding area, has residents concerned by a lack of information.
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The application, covering roughly 294 square kilometres, was lodged by private company Whybaton and is being assessed by the state government.
From Armidale, the application stretches about 20 kilometres north along the New England Highway, taking in Tilbuster and Duval.
If approved Whybaton would have exclusive rights to investigate potential sources of group one minerals, which includes gold, silver, iron, zinc and copper, but would still have to negotiate land access agreements with landowners.
Armidale Dumaresq Ratepayers Association chair Maria Hitchcock said she had heard a "few concerns" from group members.
"The area around Tilbuster is full of hobby farms and it has become a lifestyle sort of area that's brought a lot of people to the area," Ms Hitchcock said.
"There would be a bit of anguish among residents. They wouldn't be terribly happy about mining close to their property."
Ms Hitchcok said it had been hard to get information on the application and on Whybaton.
"We don't want to stop development, it's important to the district - we just don't have any information," she said.
"Residents need to be thoroughly informed of what is going on and what future plans the company might hold."
Ms Hitchcock wrote to Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Armidale Regional Council, to see if they can find more information about the application.
Mr Marshall approached the Resources and Energy Minister's office.
"From this advice, I don't believe there is anything to be worried about with this application at this stage," he said.
A public notice advertisement placed in the Armidale Express earlier this month stated exploration was not permitted until the application was granted.
It also had to be subject to an access agreement agreed between the applicant and the landholder.
Entry would only be required to selected parcels of land and if entry is sought, the landholder will be contacted.
There would be a bit of anguish among residents. They wouldn't be terribly happy about mining close to their property.
- Maria Hitchcock