https://www.miningweekly.com

EPA backs plans to revive Paroo Station lead mine

1st August 2018

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

     

Font size: - +

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has backed plans to restart operations at the Paroo Station lead mine, near Wiluna.

EPA chairperson Tom Hatton said the proposal from Rosslyn Hill Mining to expand the current mining operation by 400 ha and introduce new lead refinement technology was environmentally sound, provided strict conditions on transport were met.

“The EPA has assessed plans to revive and expand lead mining operations at Paroo Station and found the proposal to convert lead carbonate concentrate to lead metal bars, known as ingots, avoids the chance of accidental spillage of lead carbonate during transport and creates a safer environmental outcome than the historic lead mining process,” Hatton said.

“This particular refinement process will be the first of its kind and while there may still be some lead carbonate concentrate being exported through Fremantle Port from the mining operation, it will be reduced in volume and continue to be subject to strict storage and transport conditions.”

The mine was placed on care and maintenance in January 2015, amid difficult market conditions.

Formally known as the Magellan lead carbonate project, the 400 ha expansion of the mining operation will allow for an increased tailings storage facility and construction and operation of a hydrometallurgical facility to service the mine site.

“The EPA believes the environmental impacts of this proposal can be managed through the installation of recovery bores, ongoing groundwater monitoring and a transport emergency response plan in the event of lead discharge anywhere between the mine site and the Port of Fremantle,” Hatton said.

“In addition, the use of a hydrometallurgical facility instead of a smelter, and the installation of appropriate pollution control equipment on the plant, greatly reduces the overall risk of lead exposure.”

The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period.

Edited by Mariaan Webb
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
27th March 2024
Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.195 0.249s - 312pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now