Centius Mines Pty Ltd has applied for an exploration licence from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for an area of around 158 square kilometres, which takes in the township and its surrounds.

Company director John Slade said no work would take place until the licence was approved, a process which may take up to six months.

The area surrounding Illabo was selected due to its gold mining past, according to Mr Slade.

“What old timers (miners) could find was the visible gold, but they could only mine up to 20 metres in depth before they were flooded out.” he said.

With no pumps in the late 1800s, miners could only gather what they could see, averaging around one ounce per ton.

If the application is approved, Mr Slade said a geologist would approach landholders in the area in the hope of collecting samples which would be sent to a laboratory in Orange for analysis.

If an area of interest was identified further testing, such as probing, may occur. Probing probing does not involve significant ground disturbance, according to the DPI’s website.

Mr Slade said residents need not worry about further mining at this stage.

The company has also applied for licences near Cootamundra and Temora.

Further information can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/title s