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Proposed Mesa J iron ore development - Pannawonica

Project
Proponent: 
Robe River Iron Associates
Proposal description: 

The proposed Mesa J mining development is a continuation of the sequential development of proven iron ore reserves along the Robe River Valley.

This proposal relates to an iron ore mining operation of 600 million tonnes over a period of approximately 20 years. The major components of the proposed development include:

  • Site preparation, including overburden removal and stockpiling of ore which will be extracted along the rail alignment to be constructed on the eastern escarpment of the new Mesa J deposit.
  • Construction of a 10.4 km railway to the Cape Lambert- Pannawonica railway, including a new rail yard, a causeway and bridge across the Robe River and a load-out facility adjacent to the new mining area. The proposed railway alignment is along the eastern edge of Mesa K, crossing the Robe River at its confluence with Jimmawurrada Creek, along the eastern edge of Mesa J, then south over flat terrain beyond the mining area.
  • Construction of new facilities and associated infrastructure to support the mining operation.
  • Provision and upgrading of services (i.e. roads, power) to the mining area. Realignment of the gravel road from Millstream to Deepdale is required due to the location of the proposed pit and railway tail track.
  • Development of facilities to enable de-watering of that portion of the ore body below the water table.
Assessment Number: 
590
Region: 
Pilbara
Referred under EP Act: 
s38
Industry sector: 
Infrastructure
Iron Ore
Last updated: 
October 30, 2007
Current Status: 
Ministerial Statement published
Ministerial Statement published
2. Decision on whether to assess this proposal
Chair's Determination: 
Consultative Environmental Review
Date published: 
Wednesday, 6 March, 1991
3. Assessment
Scoping
Approved: 
Wednesday, 15 May, 1991
Environmental Review
Public submissions: 
Tuesday, 4 June, 1991 to Thursday, 20 June, 1991
Environmental Review documentation: 
PDF icon Consultative Environmental Review document
PDF icon CER - Addendum - Rail alignment options
4. EPA Report on assessment
EPA Report Number: 
574
EPA Report: 
PDF icon Proposed Mesa J iron ore development
Date published: 
Friday, 30 August, 1991
5. Decision on proposal and implementation of proposal
Ministerial Statement
Date of approval: 
Thursday, 16 January, 1992
Ministerial Statement: 
PDF icon Ministerial Statement 208
Post-assessment changes
s. 45C amendments: 

Attachment to Statement 208 – Pit extension and Improved Boundary Definition – change to proposal approved under section 45C on 20 December 2005.

Attachment to Statement 208 – New rail siding at Green Pool – change to proposal approved under section 45C on 13 November 2006.

Attachment 1 to Statement 208 – Installation of Fibre Optic Cable for railway communications system – change to proposal approved under section 45C on 6 March 2007.

Attachment 2 to Statement 208 – Installation of Fibre Optic Cable for railway communications system from the Cape Lambert administration offices to the 5 kilometre peg and from the 71 kilometre peg to the Mesa J mine operations at Pannawonica (known as “the Deepdale Fibre Optic Cable”) – change to proposal approved under section 45C on 30 October 2007.

Date of approval s. 45C: 
Tuesday, 20 December, 2005
Monday, 13 November, 2006
Tuesday, 6 March, 2007
Tuesday, 30 October, 2007

Source URL:https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/proposed-mesa-j-iron-ore-development-pannawonica