Eastern Ridge Revised Proposal

Overview

BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton Iron Ore) have submitted a proposal to develop the Eastern Ridge Revised Proposal which comprises existing approved iron ore mining operations at Orebody 24  Ministerial Statement 834), Orebody 25 (Ministerial Statement 712) and Orebody 32 (Ministerial Statement 1018) and a proposed new satellite iron ore deposit at Orebody 25 West. The mining operations are located in the eastern Pilbara near Newman. BHP Billiton Iron Ore is seeking approval to manage these orebodies under a single Ministerial Statement and Development Envelope. Mining would be above the water table at Orebody 32 and below the water table at Orebody 24, Orebody 25 and Orebody 25 West. The proposal would require a total of up to 3,820 ha of clearing. Excess water would be discharged to Opthalmia Dam at a rate of up to 13.9 GL/a. The proposal is located approximately 3km north-east of Newman in the Shire of East Pilbara.

What happens next

Following the seven day public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will decide whether or not this proposal requires environmental impact assessment and, if so, what level of assessment will be applied.

The Chairman's decisions on level of assessment are released each Monday on the EPA's website.