Photo by: Bloombeg
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved amendments to the West Pilbara iron-ore project, being developed by joint venture (JV) partners Aurizon and Baosteel Resources.
The West Pilbara project was granted environmental approval in November 2011, but in July 2014 the project changed hands after Baosteel and Aurizon acquired Aquila Resources.
A revised implementation model for the project was subsequently developed, which separated the mine and rail developments into two envelopes.
The first stage of the West Pilbara project would involve the development of a new deep-water port at Anketell and a 282 km railway to support at least a 40-million-tonne-a-year throughput, from eight mining areas.
The EPA said this week that having reviewed the proposed changes to the project development, the environmental watchdog would recommend that the Environment Minister accept the changes, while maintaining the original environmental requirement conditions.
The West Pilbara project was currently in feasibility study stages. A final investment decision would be made in late 2016, with first exports targeted for 2017 or 2018.