Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub Proposal

Overview

Hamersley Iron Pty Limited (the proponent) propose to develop the Greater Paraburdoo Iron Ore Hub.  The proposal is an expansion of the existing operations at Paraburdoo and Eastern Range which is not subject to a Ministerial Statement issued under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act). The proposal area is located approximately six kilometres south of the town of Paraburdoo in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Existing operations at Paraburdoo and Eastern Range are currently regulated under Part V of the EP Act and the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.  Clearing of 1,415 hectares (ha) is currently authorised under clearing permits CPS 4032, CPS 4594, and CPS 5090.   Licence L5275/1972/12 authorises the operation of prescribed activities relating to the existing Paraburdoo and Eastern Range operations.

The proposal will involve clearing an additional 4,300 hectares (ha) of native vegetation (in addition to the 1,415 ha authorised under clearing permits) within a development envelope of 17,422 ha.

Key characteristics of the proposal:

• Development of new mine pits and associated infrastructure at Western Range, including above water table (AWT) and below water table (BWT) iron ore deposits.
• Development of the 4 East Extension (4EE) at Paraburdoo as an extension of the existing 4 East BWT pit, including new dewatering of the Wittenoon Formation.
• Surplus dewater management including options to discharge to surface water, disused mine pits, and aquifer reinjection.
• Development of new AWT pits and associated infrastructure at Paraburdoo.
• Development of new AWT pits and associated infrastructure at Eastern Range.

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.