Orpheus Energy created a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in August which included the possibility of establishing a joint venture with Plasminex to explore, develop and exploit bentonite, clays and other minerals.

If approved the mine would be located between the Wingen Maid and the village where preliminary exploration work has already been carried out to delineate drill targets and conduct surface sampling.

About two years ago the company contacted Wingen resident Malcolm Kennedy notifying him that studies had found there was a bentonite source on his 720 acre property.

The company has four areas of interest in the EL area – EL 7142 and ELA 3657 and plans to conduct reconnaissance, data review and metallurgical testing to assess the ability of the source to be commercial.

With the nearby mine at Cressfield, the company believes the Wingen project has the capacity to deliver a similar product.

Mr Kennedy said the company has an access agreement to drive vehicles on his property, but in the past two years the only vehicle to enter the land was driven by a geologist.

He said there had been no negotiation of where they would like to explore and he hasn’t heard from the company recently.

Another resident John Gallen said there had been no community consultation or public meetings by the company and all the locals had heard was second hand innuendo.

“We only know what people are feeding us, but I would think there would be a lot of opposition against a company carting bentonite and large machinery through our village.”

Upper Hunter Shire Council development and environmental services director Murray James said the council had not been officially notified of the proposal.

Mr James said the council would be the consent authority for the mine.

Orpheus Energy company secretary Nathan Bartrop said the project was at a very preliminary stage as they were not aware of exactly what bentonite sources were available.

He said the company planned to explore by drilling in the near future and he understood the affected landholders had been contacted.