The Victorian Government has appointed Monash University academic, Professor Mohan Yellishetty, as Chair of the Minerals Sands Agricultural Land Restoration Working Group.
The working group will be established and managed by Resources Victoria to focus on agricultural land restoration associated with current and future mineral sands operations in northwest Victoria.
The working group will bring together representatives from industry, agriculture, research and government to provide expert advice to Resources Victoria on rehabilitation practices, monitoring and land restoration outcomes.
A key focus of the group will be to contribute to the development of best-practice guidelines for restoring agricultural land to pre-mining productivity, where farming is the intended long-term land use.
A global authority in sustainable mineral resources, Professor Yellishetty will chair the working group examining approaches to restoring agricultural land following mineral sands mining.
“This working group brings together expertise from research, industry, farming and government to help inform evidence-based approaches to agricultural land restoration following mineral sands mining,” Professor Yellishetty said.
“Critical minerals will play an important role in future technologies and global supply chains. This work is focused on exploring how science-informed practices can help support both resource development and long-term agricultural productivity.”
Dean of the Monash Faculty of Engineering, Professor Yiannis Ventikos, said the appointment reflects the important contribution engineering research can make to complex national and industry challenges.
“Professor Yellishetty’s appointment reflects the depth of expertise within Monash Engineering in sustainable resource development and environmental rehabilitation. The Faculty is proud to contribute research capability that helps address complex challenges at the intersection of industry, agriculture and environmental stewardship,” Professor Ventikos said.
The working group will operate through to June 2027.
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