EPA Bulletin 1233 - Cloverdale Mineral Sands
Summary: The Environmental Protection Authority has made its recommendations to the Minister for the Environment and set an Assessment on Referral Information level of assessment on a proposal by Iluka Resources Limited to develop a mineral sands mine at the Cloverdale Deposit, approximately 190km south of Perth in the Shires of Busselton and Capel.
Release Date: 13 November 2006
Details: The Environmental Protection Authority has made its recommendations to the Minister for the Environment and set an Assessment on Referral Information level of assessment on a proposal by Iluka Resources Limited to develop a mineral sands mine at the Cloverdale Deposit, approximately 190km south of Perth in the Shires of Busselton and Capel.
Over two years the mine will disturb 350 hectares, including clearing four hectares of degraded native vegetation, with a dam for stormwater management, associated mine infrastructure, also utilising existing infrastructure in current locations, such as the screen plant at Yoganup West and ore concentrator at Yoganup.
The proponent’s referral document sets out the details of the proposal, potential environmental impacts and proposed management commitments to manage the impacts.
EPA Chairman Dr Wally Cox said that the proposal, as described, can be managed to meet the EPA’s environmental objectives, subject to the EPA’s recommended conditions being made legally binding.
“Groundwater levels will be impacted locally by dewatering associated with mining with potential impacts on groundwater-dependent ecosystems near the mine voids,” Dr Cox said.
“These impacts are most likely to be an issue in South Pit 1, which is closest to the Ludlow River and adjacent vegetation on Lot 2015 which supports an intact transect of riverine to upland vegetation communities.
“Examples of such transects on the Pinjarra Plain within the Capel area that are in good condition are rare.
“The EPA has recommended a Dewatering Management Plan, to include groundwater monitoring beneath a stand of native vegetation on Lot 2015 in close proximity to a mine void, with contingencies should groundwater fall below an acceptable level.”
“Overall, groundwater levels will be monitored and managed to an acceptable level through implementation of a Ground Water Management Plan.”
For Acid Sulphate Soils the EPA has recommended an Acid Sulphate Soil Management Plan be prepared in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation prior to dewatering and ground disturbing activities.
The ARI level of assessment and the EPA’s report are subject to appeal until close of business 27 November 2006.
The ARI document is available at www.iluka.com and the EPA’s report at www.epa.wa.gov.au.
Appeals are considered by the independent Appeals Convenor (9221 8711). The Convenor prepares a report for the Minister for Environment on any appeals that may be received. The Minister then takes into consideration both the EPA’s and the Convenor’s report before making his final decision on any proposal.
The EPA is a five person board providing overarching independent environmental advice to the Minister for the Environment through the preparation of environmental protection policies and the assessment of development proposals and management plans, as well as providing public statements about matters of environmental importance.
Under the Environmental Protection Act (1986) the EPA has no enforcement role. This role is undertaken by the Department of Environment and Conservation including auditing Ministerial Conditions imposed on proposals assessed by the EPA.
Media contact: Charlie Maling ph 6467 5415 or mobile 0400 866 450.
Status: Final
Appeals close