PERTH (miningweekly.com) - Mining giant Rio Tinto’s Alcan division on Monday announced the introduction of new environmental plans for its proposed expanded bauxite operations, in Cape York to protect a potential new species of freshwater crab.

The Winda Winda Creek, where the crab was discovered, would be protected from mining by an environmental buffer system, which Rio said would exceed regulatory requirements.

Another one of the key changes that has been made was the realignment of the proposed port infrastructure and dredge channel required for the project, which would reduce impacts on a recreational and charter fishing area.

A ferry terminal area has also been redesigned to incorporate community feedback in regard to access for recreational fishing.

Rio Tinto Alcan discovered the freshwater crab species during its environmental impact statement (EIS) studies, a discovery which had conservationists calling on federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to stop the development of the project, saying the mine would threaten nearly 30 000 ha of bush, and would destroy a river.

“We have been operating in the western Cape for more than 40 years, and respect for the environment is central to our approach,” said Rio Tinto Alcan president and CEO for bauxite and alumina Pat Fiore.

“There was never any question that we would safeguard this species,” Fiore said about the crabs.

He noted that a supplementary report to the EIS, which has been released for approval by the Queensland coordinator-general, confirmed this to be the case.

Fiore said that the discovery of the crab demonstrated how the EIS process could make a significant contribution to the knowledge base of regions such as the Cape York Peninsula.

“To further increase our knowledge, and to ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place, we have joined forces with experts from the Queensland Museum to conduct further studies over coming months,” he said.

Rio Tinto’s expansion at the Weipa mine would involve a staged increase in production to up to 50-million tons a year. The initial production capacity was subject to ongoing feasibility studies, and actual production rates, as well as the timing and the size of the capacity expansion would be dependent on market conditions.

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