PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Tasmanian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the first mine closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation management plan (MCDRMP) for the proposed Dolphin tungsten project.
Project developer King Island Scheelite on Wednesday said that the MCDRMP would require annual updating and approval by the EPA, and sets the standards to be met during the mine’s operations and ultimate closure.
“The approval by the EPA of the first MCDRMP is a further important milestone in the redevelopment of the Dolphin mine and recognises the high environmental standards which will be adhered to by King Island Scheelite and external contractors during the construction and operation of the Dolphin mine,” said executive chairperson Johann Jacobs.
“Compliance with the plan, and the previously approved water management plan, is a clear demonstration of King Island Scheelite management team’s commitment to the environment.”
A previously completed economic analysis of the Dolphin project estimated that some A$65-million would need to be invested to bring the opencut operation into production to produce 20 t/y of tungsten over an eight-year mine life.
The updated feasibility study has estimated a start-up capital cost of A$72.1-million to develop the Dolphin project, with life-of-mine capital estimated at A$129.2-million, placing capital cost for the operation at A$40/t of tungsten produced.