Worsley expansion given two more weeks for public comment

8th August 2022 By: Esmarie Iannucci - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has given stakeholders and community groups an additional two weeks to comment on diversified miner South32’s proposed expansion at its Worsley alumina operations.

South32 is proposing to continue operations and expand the existing mining area, which will include developing a bauxite transport corridor at the Boddington bauxite mine, as well as develop a contingency mining area, residue storage extension and maintenance activities at the refinery near Collie.

The project will include the clearing of 4 399 ha of native vegetation and fauna habitat.

South32 has previously said that the mine development would enable the sustainable continuation of bauxite mining and would secure the future of more than 1 500 direct employees and 500 contractors.

EPA chairperson Professor Matthew Tonts said the volume of review documents, combined with the need to understand the unique biodiversity and complex cumulative impacts of proposals in the Northern Jarrah Forest justified the decision to extend the consultation.

“The complexity of the environmental impact assessment means there are nearly 4 700 pages of documents to review,” he said.

“Taking the unusual step to grant additional time for feedback will ensure fair and constructive input to the EPA process.”

The additional two-week consultation will be open from August 16 to 29 .