The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations (FVTOC) has called for a pause on mining approvals until a formal benefit-sharing agreement is in place.

Mining giant Astron's huge Donald Mineral Sands project near Minyip in the state's west has been fast-tracked with Major Project Status by the federal government.

FVTOC represents 12 organisations, from the Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) in the west to the Wurundgeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in Melbourne.

Interim FVTOC chief executive Kaley Nicholson said traditional owners felt sidelined when the Donald Mineral Sands project received state government approval.

"We knew the project had already received a green light," she said.

" It feels a bit disingenuous when you've got government promi

See Full Page