PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Federal Environment Minister Mark Butler has again approved the development of ASX-listed Shree Minerals’ Nelson Bay River (NBR) iron-ore project, in Tasmania.

He said on Wednesday that he had imposed 30 conditions on the approval, after considering the impact the NBR development would have on the environment.

“I have imposed conditions that I am confident will protect those [fauna and flora] species. These conditions include a range of avoidance and mitigation measures that will reduce the likely impacts. Where significant residual impacts remain likely, however, the company must take other action to compensate for the impacts, known as offsets.”

Butler’s decision was preceded by a similar decision by previous Environmental Minister Tony Burke, in December last year. Burke’s approval went under a judicial review, after the Tarkine National Coalition appealed the decision.

The Federal Court of Australia set aside Burke’s decision to approve the project earlier this month, prompting Butler to reconsider the matter.

Shree Minerals on Wednesday welcomed Butler’s decision, with the company saying the NBR project would assist the region in progressing towards a more resilient future as a key component of regional Australia, with improved social equity and quality of life.

State government approvals for the project had already been received, including a mining lease, a development permit and environmental approval.

There was an appeal against the state planning and environmental permit, but this was dismissed by the Tasmanian Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal.

The NBR project would consist of an openpit magnetite and hematite mine, producing four-million tons a year of ore over a ten-year life-of-mine, to produce 150 000 t/y of product.

Shree noted that all necessary approvals were now in place for the mine to proceed, and the company would now restart the project activities in compliance with the various approvals.