Ravensthorpe Nickel Project Revised Proposal - Public Environmental Review

Overview

FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd (FQM) are currently approved to mine and process up to 4 million tonnes per annum of nickel ore from Bandalup Hill approximately 35 kilometres east of Ravensthorpe.  The original project was approved under Ministerial Statement 633 in June 1999.

FQM proposes to expand its Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations, including expanding the approved Shoe-Maker Levy footprint, requiring an increase in the clearing of native vegetation by 220 hectares.  This would include clearing of native vegetation within the Esperance Plains biogeographic region within the 'Bandalup Corridor' - which links the vegetation of the Fitzgerald River National Park to the Great Western Woodlands to the northeast, leading to the eastern Goldfields. The area includes habitat of conservation significant fauna species and threatened flora species and communities.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is assessing the revised proposal at the level of Public Environmental Review, (PER) with a six-week public review period.  The proponent’s environmental review document will be released for public review starting 11 April 2022 and finishing on 26 May 2022.  Submissions can be made via the EPAs Consultation Hub.