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Wheelarra Hill Iron Ore Mine Extension

Project
Proponent: 
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd
Proposal description: 

The proposal is for the remaining life of the mine (50+ years), located west of Jimblebar Creek on Mining Lease 266SA. It entails increasing the iron ore production rate at the mine from 8 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to approximately 12Mtpa, and the mining of the currently undeveloped deposits on either side of the existing operation, including both in-situ hard rock and detrital ores. Approximately 600 million tonnes of Marra Mamba iron ore have been identified within the mining envelope. Because all of the ore in this proposal is above the water table the proposed mining will not require pit dewatering. Several pits are to be developed and mined at the same time to allow for blending of ores to suit customer requirements.

Note: The mine, first known as McCamey’s Monster, became the Jimblebar Iron Ore Mine and subsequently Wheelarra Hill. It has been operating since 1989 under the Iron Ore (McCamey's Monster) Agreement Authorisation Act 1972.

Assessment Number: 
1558
Region: 
Pilbara
Referred under EP Act: 
s38
Industry sector: 
Iron Ore
Last updated: 
November 17, 2006
Current Status: 
Ministerial Statement published
Ministerial Statement published
1. Referral
Referral documentation: 
PDF icon Environmental Protection Statement Volume 1
PDF icon Environmental Protection Statement Volume 2
2. Decision on whether to assess this proposal
Chair's Determination: 
Environmental Protection Statement (EPS)
Preliminary Environmental Factors: 
Social Surroundings
Flora and Vegetation
Subterranean Fauna
Terrestrial Fauna
Hydrological Processes
Date published: 
Monday, 11 April, 2005
4. EPA Report on assessment
EPA Report Number: 
1168
EPA Report: 
PDF icon Wheelarra Hill Iron Ore Mine Extension
Key Environmental Factors: 
Flora and Vegetation
Landforms
Terrestrial Environmental Quality
Terrestrial Fauna
Water
Hydrological Processes
Date published: 
Monday, 11 April, 2005
Appeals close: 
Tuesday, 26 April, 2005
5. Decision on proposal and implementation of proposal
Ministerial Statement
Date of approval: 
Tuesday, 16 August, 2005
Ministerial Statement: 
PDF icon Ministerial Statement 683
Post-assessment changes
s. 45C amendments: 

Attachment to Statement 683 - Increase in area of disturbance from 1,960 ha to 2,022 ha - change to proposal approved under s45C on 17 November 2006.

Date of approval s. 45C: 
Friday, 17 November, 2006

Source URL:https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/wheelarra-hill-iron-ore-mine-extension