Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has just given iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group the environmental approval to extend their operations at the Solomon mine in the Pilbara region for up to another 35 year.
According to EPA, it has recommended the approval of Fortescue’s plans to expand its Solomon mine – located in the Hamersley Ranges about 1,500 kilometres north of Perth.
“The proposal includes new mining areas in the Castle Valley and Fredericks deposits and mining infrastructure such as processing plants and bore fields and the operation of the existing Hamersley Rail line,” EPA said in a statement.
19 conditions were recommended by EPA which includes measures to manage vegetation and flora species, terrestrial fauna and ground water drawdown for water supply purposes as well as the condition to prevent ground water and surface water contamination.
Fortescue’s Solomon mine expansion project will require clearing 12,146 hectares of land on top of the 6,313 hectares that was already cleared for the existing mine.
Watch this space for more industry news and project updates by subscribing to Felix Project News today.
Source: Australian Mining and Reuters