Project Proponent Fortescue Metals Group Limited Proposal description Fortescue Metals Group Limited is proposing to increase the footprint and mining life of the Solomon Iron Ore Project. The proposal consists of expanding mining operations and rail infrastructure beyond the current footprint. Fortescue Metals Group Limited is also seeking approval for an external borefield to provide an additional water supply to support the expansion. The extent of proposed ground disturbance is approximately: 11,322 hectares for the mine expansion within a development envelope of 33,520 hectares; 700 hectares for an additional external borefield within an development envelope of 33,712 hectares; and 476 hectares for additional permanent rail infrastructure within the 29,257 hectare rail corridor envelope (which includes a spur). The combined area of disturbance is approximately 12,498 hectares. This is in addition to the 6,297 hectares of disturbance area approved under Ministerial Statement No. 862 for the original proposal, and results in a total disturbance footprint of 18,795 hectares. Proposal Content Document Proposal Content Document March 2026.pdf (PDF, 211.36 KB) Assessment Number 2019 Region Pilbara Referred under EP Act s38 Industry sector Iron Ore Last updated March 04, 2026 Related EPA Media Statement EPA recommends approval of the Solomon Iron Ore Project - Sustaining Production… 1. Referral Comment on this referral Solomon Iron Ore Expansion Referral documentation CMS14233 Solomon Iron Ore Mine Expansion Referral.pdf (PDF, 29.21 MB) 2. Decision on whether to assess this proposal Chair's Determination Assess - Public Environmental Review Extract of determination Chairman's Determination - Solomon Iron Ore Expansion (PDF, 282.37 KB) Preliminary Environmental Factors Flora and Vegetation Subterranean Fauna Terrestrial Fauna Hydrological Processes Inland Waters Environmental Quality Date published Monday, August 18, 2014 - 12:00 3. Assessment Scoping Environmental scoping document Environmental Scoping Document - Solomon Iron Ore Expansion (PDF, 4.36 MB) Approved Friday, December 12, 2014 - 12:00 Bilateral assessment (EPBC Act) 2014/7275 Environmental Review Make a submission Public Environmental Review - Solomon Iron Ore Project – Sustaining Production Environmental Review documentation Public Environmental Review - Solomon Iron Ore Project Expansion (Part 1) (PDF, 22.66 MB) Public Environmental Review - Solomon Iron Ore Project Expansion (Part 2) (PDF, 22.96 MB) Proponent response to submissions Public Review - Summary of Submissions (PDF, 3.01 MB) Proponent's Response to Submissions (PDF, 13.4 MB) 4. EPA Report on assessment EPA Report Number 1588 EPA Report Solomon Iron Ore Project - Sustaining Production (PDF, 5.53 MB) Key Environmental Factors Flora and Vegetation Subterranean Fauna Terrestrial Fauna Hydrological Processes Inland Waters Environmental Quality Date published Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - 12:00 Appeals close Wednesday, December 7, 2016 - 12:00 5. Decision on proposal and implementation of proposal Ministerial Statement Comments Proposal to develop and operate the Solomon Iron Ore Mine, located approximately 60 kilometres north of Tom Price, including the Southern Borefield and Lower Fortescue Borefield, and operate the existing Hamersley Rail line. The proposal is a revision of the Solomon Iron Ore Project, the subject of Statement No. 862 dated 20 April 2011. Date of approval Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - 12:00 Ministerial Statement Ministerial Statement 1062.pdf (PDF, 5.34 MB) Post-assessment changes s. 45C amendments Attachment 1 to Ministerial Statement 1062 - Expand the Mine Development Envelopment (MDE) from 36,602 ha to 37,061 ha (an increase of 459 ha) to cater for the creation of three separate groundwater supplementation areas (Collectively referred to as the Groundwater Supplementation Area (GSA)). Increase the authorised extent of clearing within the Railway Development Envelope (RDE) from 2,174 ha to a revised total of 2,324 ha (an increase of 150 ha). Allow water supply for the Lower Fortescue Borefield to be abstracted from within the RDE. Change to proposal approved under s. 45c on 7 June 2023. Attachment 2 to Ministerial Statement 1062 - Change to the existing proposal description to account for the construction and operation of power generation facilities including a solar photovoltaic (PV) farm. Change in the indicative disturbance footprint within the authorised Development Envelope. Change to proposal approved under s. 45c on 04 March 2026. Attachments Attachment 2 - Notice and Summary of Reasons.pdf (PDF, 504.41 KB) Date of approval s. 45C Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 12:00 Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - 12:00
