Submissions close by 5pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

This gives Stawell residents and other interested parties just one week to examine the document and forward their impressions, thoughts and ideas to the State Government.

Stawell Gold Mines (SGM) launched the Environment Effects Statement relating to the proposed open-cut mining operation at Big Hill in Stawell in March and at that time encouraged residents to read the document and make submissions to the government.

Residents are reminded to include a cover sheet with their submission. The cover sheet can be found on the SGM project website:

Environment-Effects-Staternent/default.aspx

The EES is a comprehensive set of documents covering all aspects of SGM's proposal to mine two open cut pits at Big Hill over a four to-five year period.

When launching the EES, SGM general manager Troy Cole said the documents would be on public exhibition for 30 business days to allow residents and other interested people an opportunity to assess the proposal and to make submissions to the government.

"At that time we encourage all Stawell residents to take the opportunity to examine the EES as it covers a wide variety of subjects that are pertinent to the future of the Big Hill Project and to Stawell itself and to make submissions," Mr Cole said last week.

The EES contains details of the actual project along with studies looking at a variety of associated subjects including potential environmental, cultural, noise, air and health impacts.

"The Big Hill Enhanced Development Project is a real positive for Stawell. This project will at least partly mitigate the downturn from the imminant closure of our underground mine by providing 80 to 100 jobs for four to five years," Mr Cole said.

"5GM and Crocodile Gold are committed to this project and to the needs of the Stawell community.

"While we have been consulting closely with the Stawell community about the Big Hill Project, the EES answers many of the questions people have been asking which we could not answer until-the studies were completed," Mr Cole said.

If it proceeds the project will provide employment for 80 to 100 people and involve up to four years of mining activity, with a further year allowed for the full reinstatement and rehabilitation of Big Hill.

"SGM has been consulting extensively with the Stawell community to ensure Big Hill becomes a significant community asset at the conclusion of the project.

The EES is available for viewing during normal business hours at:

&Northern Grampians Shire Council, Town Hall, Main Street,

Stawell Library, Sloane Street, Stawell (restricted hours: Tues - Fri l0am to 5.30pm, Sat l0am to 12 midday, Sun 3pm to 5pm).

Regional Development Victoria, Grampians Region, 111 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat VIC 3350.

Victorian Government Bookshop, Level 20, 80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

The statement, including the technical appendices, is available for viewing online at the SGM website: www.crocgold.com/bigh ill

Free copies of both the EES Summary Brochure and a DVD of the complete EES Main Report and Technical Reports are available from SGM's front security gate or by calling freecall 1800 771 729.

A number of printed copies of the EES Report and EES technical appendices are available for loan from the Stawell Library.

Questions about the project and exhibited documents can also be directed to freecall number 1800 771 729 or email SGM.enquiries@crocgold.com.au.

Submissions on the Big Hill EES are to be to be sent to: Planning Panels Victoria, Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure GPO Box 2392, Melbourne, VIC 3001. Telephone: (03) 8392 6384 & Fax: (03) 8392 6381 Email: planning.panels@dtpli.vic.gov.au