PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has nixed a proposal from junior Shree Minerals for the development of its Nelson Bay River iron project, in Tasmania.

The Nelson Bay project was operational between 2013 and 2014, and since mid-2018, Shree has been working to re-permit the project.

The company last year submitted an updated draft development proposal and environmental management plan to the Tasmanian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which included additional studies, mine design, process system engineering plans and a trigger action response plan for water discharge.

The EPA in March this year referred the development proposal for Shree’s direct shipping ore project to the Commonwealth government for determination under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, particularly in relation to the Giant Freshwater Crayfish.

Shree said on Tuesday that the DCCEEW had informed the company that the proposal, in its current form, was not consistent with the EPBC approvals, and that the changes made to the project parameters were not consistent with the EPBC approvals granted in 2013.

Shree executive director Sanjay Loyalka said on Tuesday that the company was disappointed that the proposal would now need additional approvals.

“Following a period of ongoing delays in the re-permitting of Nelson Bay River, we have persevered with efforts over recent years to seek re-permitting against a backdrop of constantly changing and onerous requirements. We have diligently worked with the regulators and will engage with the Department and with our consultants to progress the formal assessment of the proposal.

“The company hopes to get an understanding of the process and timeline for the EPBC assessment once guidance is received from the Department and we will continue to work in the best interests of our shareholders to potentially redevelop this company asset.”