Eliwana Iron Ore Mine

Overview

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd proposes to develop the Eliwana Mine Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The Eliwana Mine Project Area is located approximately 90 km west-northwest of Tom Price.

Over the life of the mine, the average annual production rate is estimated at 30 Mtpa but infrastructure will be constructed to reflect peaks in the annual production rate up to 50 Mtpa. The estimated mine life is 24 years.

The proposal involves the clearing of up to 8,560 ha of native vegetation within the 70,000 ha Mine Development Envelope.

The Mine Development Envelope falls within the Ashburton River catchment and the Duck Creek sub-catchment. Mine dewatering will be required to accommodate below water table mining, requiring the abstraction of up to 12 GL/a of groundwater.

Why your views matter

At this initial stage of the EIA process, comment is simply sought on whether or not the EPA should assess a proposal and, if so, what level of assessment is considered appropriate.

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