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Greenbushes Lithium Mine Expansion

Project
Proponent: 
Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd
Proposal description: 

Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd (Talison) is proposing to expand the existing Greenbushes Lithium Mine that has been operated for over 30 years, to increase the production of spodumene ore and lithium mineral concentrate from the operation. This proposal is an expansion of the existing mining operation and has not previously been assessed by the EPA.

The mine is located in the South West of Western Australia, immediately south of the town of Greenbushes, approximately 250 km south east of Perth, Western Australia.

The proposal Development Envelope will expand from the 1,591 ha authorised under Mining Act 1978 to 1,989 ha (398 ha, 25% increase). The proposal will result in the direct loss of up to 350 ha of native vegetation (State Forest 20).

S43A Change to Proposal

Talison are proposing to change their linear infrastructure through a section 43a application. Talisons are proposing to change the mine haulage route to the site and have included a new mine access road and tailings retreatment plant access road to the expansion. The changes proposed would not increase clearing from that proposed in the existing expansion.

What Happens Next

Following the public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will determine if it consents to the proponent changing the proposal without a revised proposal being referred.

Assessment Number: 
2172
Region: 
South West
Referred under EP Act: 
s38
Industry sector: 
Lithium
Last updated: 
May 15, 2023
Current Status: 
Ministerial Statement published
Ministerial Statement published
1. Referral
Comment on this referral: 
Greenbushes Lithium Mine Expansion - Change to Proposal
Comment period: 
Friday, 1 February, 2019 to Friday, 8 February, 2019
Referral documentation: 
PDF icon Referral form.pdf
PDF icon Supporting Report.pdf
PDF icon Appendix A - Flora and Veg Surveys Onshore.pdf
PDF icon Appendix B - Fauna Surveys Biologic.pdf
PDF icon Appendix C - Black Cockatoo Habitat Studies.pdf
PDF icon Appendix D - Western Ringtail Possum Survey.pdf
PDF icon Appendix E - Material Characterisation Studies.pdf
PDF icon Appendix F - Talison Greenbushes Water Monitoring Review.pdf
PDF icon Appendix G - Talison Greenbushes Expansion Dust Impact Assessment.pdf
PDF icon Appendix H-I - Talison Greenbushes Acoustic Assessment and Noise MP.pdf
PDF icon Appendix J - Talison Greenbushes Expansion Offset Assessment Guide.pdf
PDF icon Section 43A Letter.PDF
PDF icon Section 43A_CG.pdf
PDF icon Section 43A Onshore Greenbushes Corridors Fauna Survey November 2018.pdf
PDF icon Section 43A Onshore Greenbushes Corridor Flora Survey December 2018.pdf
2. Decision on whether to assess this proposal
Chair's Determination: 
Assess - Additional Assessment Information (public review)
Extract of determination: 
PDF icon Greenbushes Lithium Mine Expansion
Date published: 
Monday, 6 August, 2018
3. Assessment
Environmental Review
Public submissions: 
Tuesday, 18 December, 2018 to Monday, 21 January, 2019
Make a submission: 
Greenbushes Lithium Mine Expansion
Environmental Review documentation: 
PDF icon Environmental Referral Additional Information.pdf
PDF icon Appendix E - Talison Management Plans.pdf
PDF icon Appendix F - Talison Dust Impact Assessment Peer Review and Revised Assessment2.pdf
PDF icon Appendix G - Greenhouse Gas Estimate.pdf
PDF icon Appendix H - Aboriginal Heritage Report.pdf
PDF icon Appendix I - Talison Visual Impact Assessment 2018.pdf
PDF icon Appendix J - Noise Assessment and Management Plan.pdf
PDF icon Appendix K - Greenbushes - Vibration Analyses - September 2018.pdf
PDF icon Appendix L - Talison Offset Proposal 2018.pdf
PDF icon Additional Information - DOtEE Talison Comments.pdf
PDF icon EPA Comments - Talison Response.pdf
Date Published (Environmental Review documentation): 
December 18, 2018
Proponent response to submissions: 
PDF icon Appendix A - Public Response to EPA Submission.pdf
Change to proposal during assessment under s. 43A
s. 43A notice: 
PDF icon CMS17386 - s43A Notice of Decision.pdf
PDF icon CMS17386 - s43A Notice of Decision - 070319.pdf
Date of approval s. 43A: 
Thu, 07/03/2019
4. EPA Report on assessment
EPA Report Number: 
1635
EPA Report: 
PDF icon EPA Report - Greenbushes Lithium Mine Expansion.pdf
Key Environmental Factors: 
Social Surroundings
Flora and Vegetation
Terrestrial Environmental Quality
Terrestrial Fauna
Date published: 
Wednesday, 8 May, 2019
Appeals close: 
Wednesday, 22 May, 2019
5. Decision on proposal and implementation of proposal
Ministerial Statement
Date of approval: 
Monday, 19 August, 2019
Ministerial Statement: 
PDF icon Ministerial Statement 1111.pdf
Post-assessment changes
s. 45C amendments: 

Attachment 1 to Ministerial Statement 1111 - Modification to the Mine Development Envelope. Change to proposal approved under S45c on 6 April 2020.

Attachment 2 to Ministerial Statement 1111 - A revised Mine Access Road design; Construction of a worker accomodation village; Relocation of the rehabilitation material stockpiles; and Other changes to the development envelope to include:
A noise bund; A gate; A vegetation screen; Excision of the cemetery and mine lookout; and Access tracks for Cowan Brook Dam. Change to proposal approved under S45c on 15 May 2023.

Attachments: 
PDF icon 5.5.2 Summary of reasons s. 45C - Greenbushes Lithium Mine Expansion.pdf
Date of approval s. 45C: 
Monday, 6 April, 2020
Monday, 15 May, 2023

Source URL:https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/greenbushes-lithium-mine-expansion