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Senator CANAVAN: I want to add some questions about $120 million worth of support to Vulcan Energy's phase 1 Lionheart Project in Germany. What sort of support was provided to that project? Mr Hopkins : A loan. Senator CANAVAN: A loan to that project? And that was $120 million? Ms Copping : Let me check the numbers. Mr Hopkins : That sounds about right. Ms Copping : Sorry, it's 120 million euros; A$196 million. Senator CANAVAN: Okay. There has been some reporting on a website called Clean Energy Wire that citizens living in the prospective lithium-mining areas of this project 'oppose the project over fears that it might lead to small earthquakes that can damage buildings'. Have you investigated these issues at all? Mr Hopkins : I can ask my chief credit officer to respond to that. Mr Pacey : It's a part of the due diligence. We benchmarked the project against the IFC performance standards, and I believe that was one of the risks that was assessed. Senator CANAVAN: By yourselves? Mr Pacey : No. This is a project with many lenders in it. There's an independent technical adviser who works for the banks. Senator CANAVAN: What steps were put in place to mitigate these risks? Mr Pacey : I'd have to take that on notice. Senator CANAVAN: Were there any risks to groundwater? Mr Pacey : To groundwater? Senator CANAVAN: Yes, from the project. Mr Pacey : It is a risk to be managed. It is a hydrology project. Senator CANAVAN: What about biodiversity more broadly? Mr Pacey : I'd have to take that on notice.
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