BHP’s Southern Flank iron ore proposal recommended for approval
Report 1610
BHP’s proposal to expand its Mining Area C iron ore operations in the Pilbara was recommended for environmental approval today.
The Environmental Protection Authority has completed its assessment of the proposal, recommending it may be implemented but with strict conditions and offsets.
EPA chairman Dr Tom Hatton said the proposal had been assessed against the backdrop of the rate and scale of development in the Pilbara and environmental values in the region.
“We found the Southern Flank proposal could proceed if certain conditions are met” Dr Hatton said.
“The Authority has recommended conditions that would require; implementing measures to maintain the local Ghost Bat population; ensuring water management associated with the proposal does not impact on the environmental values of Weeli Wolli Spring and Coondewanna Flats; a requirement to report on greenhouse gas emissions and the continued implementation of a cultural heritage management plan to minimise impacts to sites of Aboriginal significance.”
The Southern Flank project is located approximately 100km northwest of Newman.
The proposal includes clearing 16,257 ha of vegetation for an open-cut mine; associated mining infrastructure; an overland conveyor; accommodation villages and the construction and operation of a rail spur.
The Pilbara Environmental Offset Fund is currently being established by the State Government and it is recommended in the conditions that BHP makes a contribution to the fund for the residual impacts on Ghost Bat habitat and the clearing of native vegetation.
The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period, closing 22 December 2017. Appeals are administered independently by the Appeals Convenor and can be made at www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au
The Minister for Environment will make the final decision.
EPA Report 1610 is available at www.epa.wa.gov.au
Media Contact: Cassie Paxman - 0400 866 450
Printer-friendly version