A proposal by Doral Mineral Sands to expand its Keysbrook operation has been recommended for approval by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), subject to conditions related to noise, black cockatoo habitat retention and rehabilitation.
The proposed Western Extension to the Keysbrook Mineral Sands Project, about 23km east of Mandurah, would require an additional 512.94ha of disturbance to increase the mine’s life by 5½ years.
EPA Chair Darren Walsh said that while the site was in mostly cleared farmland, there were 20 residential properties within 2km of the proposal boundary.
Mr Walsh said this meant that the potential impact from operational noise was a key part of the EPA’s consideration of the social surroundings environmental factor.
“The EPA has recommended conditions to limit mining and processing within 2km of an occupied residence during the day and 3.3km during the night, unless an agreement was in place with the resident,” he said.
Mr Walsh also highlighted the work done with the proponent during the assessment to ensure clearing minimised the impact to habitat for conservation-significant fauna.
“I commend the proponent’s proposed avoidance of large, black cockatoo-habitat trees along the edges of the disturbance footprint, combined with measures proposed to minimise clearing of potential nesting trees with suitable hollows in the north-eastern section of the site.”
The proposal consists of a shallow, low grade ore deposit that would be mined progressively via a series of shallow open cut pits using dry mining techniques. The ore is trucked to a plant at Picton, 120km south of the site, for processing.
Mr Walsh said the EPA considered that through mitigation and management measures and conditions, water courses could be rehabilitated through the re-establishment of local native vegetation species.
“The proponent has already demonstrated its commitment to rehabilitation with some 785ha already rehabilitated back to pasture and a further 164ha rehabilitated with native vegetation,” he added.
Further conditions have been recommended to rehabilitate cleared native vegetation to maintain habitat connectivity.
The EPA’s report to the Minister for the Environment is now open for a three-week public appeal period, closing 19 November 2025. Appeals should be directed to the Office of the Appeals Convenor. The Minister will make the final decision on the proposal. EPA Report 1794 can be found on the EPA website.
EPA Media Contact: Jenni.Storey@dwer.wa.gov.au; 0434 734 997
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