A proposal to extend Robe River Mining’s West Angelas iron ore operation has been recommended for environmental approval by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), subject to groundwater and dust conditions to mitigate impacts on Karijini National Park.
The West Angelas Revised Proposal, located 130km north-west of Newman, includes the development of new above and below water table deposits and associated activities to continue the life of the existing approved mine.
EPA Chair Darren Walsh said that during the environmental impact assessment the independent Authority had considered the cumulative impacts of all current and future proposals in the vicinity, as well as the key environmental factors of flora and vegetation, subterranean and terrestrial fauna, inland waters, greenhouse gas emissions and social surroundings.
“To protect environmental and cultural values within the adjacent Karijini National Park, the EPA has recommended conditions for inland waters and dust,” Mr Walsh said. “Conditions include the submission of a performance report to demonstrate the effectiveness of mitigation measures to manage impacts.”
Since the original referral, Rio Tinto subsidiary Robe River Mining Co. Pty Ltd has added solar energy generation to the project and reduced its proposed clearing by 25 per cent.
Mr Walsh said the EPA acknowledged that the proposal had been designed to avoid significant impacts to groundwater, and mining exclusion zones had also been applied within the development envelope to avoid significant impacts to culturally significant areas, and ghost bat roosts.
The EPA also noted that the proposal would use the company’s existing infrastructure including railway and ports, power, communication and road networks.
Mr Walsh said that this had reduced the extent of new infrastructure required, which would result in a smaller disturbance footprint than would otherwise be required for a greenfields project of this scale.
The EPA’s report to the Minister for the Environment is now open for a three-week public appeal period, closing 16 July 2025. Appeals should be directed to the Office of the Appeals Convenor. The Minister will make the final decision on the proposal. EPA Report 1784 can be found on the EPA website.
EPA Media Contact: Jenni.Storey@dwer.wa.gov.au 0434 734 997
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