PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The environmental-impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Bauxite Hills project, in Cape York, has been opened for public comment after the Queensland government accepted the document.
ASX-listed Metro Mining in April submitted the EIS to the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
The company said on Thursday that having the EIS open for public comment was a major milestone in the approvals process for the Bauxite Hills project, and followed the securing of native title and access agreements in January.
The EIS considered the development of a direct shipping ore bauxite mine, producing up to five-million tonnes a year. The project would not require a tailings dam or dredging or bed levelling of the Skardon river, and would be operated during the dry season, which would reduce mining complexity and environmental impact.
The public would be allowed to submit written submissions on the EIS until June 29.
In the meantime, Metro would continue with a definitive feasibility study on the project, with the aim of completing this by mid-year, after which Metro would finalise designs in preparation for construction tendering before the end of the year.