https://www.miningweekly.com

EPA gives thumbs up to new A$1.27bn Fortescue mine

24th June 2019

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

     

Font size: - +

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended environmental approval for iron-ore major Fortescue’s Eliwana iron-ore mine, in the Pilbara.

The Fortescue board in May last year approved the $1.27-billion Eliwana mine and rail project, which will entail a new 30-million-tonne-a-year dry ore processing facility and infrastructure and a 143-km rail line.

Production is expected to start in December 2020, and the mine will introduce a 60% iron-grade product into Fortescue’s portfolio by the second half of the 2019 financial year.

EPA chairperson Dr Tom Hatton on Monday said that the development of Eliwana had been approved subject to conditions, including minimising impacts on surface and groundwater, flora and vegetation and places of Aboriginal cultural significance.

“The EPA has recommended a range of conditions on the Eliwana iron-ore mine project to manage impacts to local flora, fauna, surface water, groundwater and Aboriginal heritage,” Hatton said.

“Our environmental impact assessment found there would be a significant impact from the clearing of 7 900 ha of vegetation as part of the proposal, which is habitat for the northern quoll, ghost bat and Pilbara olive python.

“The EPA has recommended the proponent offset this impact through a contribution to the Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund and it has also recommended the creation of management plans to minimise impacts to surface water, groundwater, flora and vegetation and native animals.”

The EPA’s decision is now open for a two-week public appeals period, closing on July 8, with the Minister of Environment expected to make the final decision.

Edited by Mariaan Webb
Creamer Media Contract Publishing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

MBE Minerals SA (Pty) Ltd
MBE Minerals SA (Pty) Ltd

Your global lifecycle technology & service partner for materials & minerals processing equipment for coal, iron ore, copper, manganese & other...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD

For over 30 years, Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD has been designing, manufacturing, supplying and maintaining specialist...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

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:0.043 0.839s - 110pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now