Hope Downs 2

Overview

Hamersley HMS Pty Limited (the proponent) proposes to develop two new above water table (AWT) iron ore mine pits at the Hope Downs 2 proposal, located approximately 80 km north-west of the township of Newman in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia.

The proposal includes a conceptual footprint of approximately 4,700 hectares (ha) to support the development, operation and closure of two new AWT iron ore deposits within a proposed Development Envelope of approximately 14,085 ha.

The key components of the proposal include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and operation of AWT iron ore deposits: Hope Downs 2; and Bedded Hilltop.
• Mineral waste management infrastructure including waste rock landforms, landbridges, low grade ore dumps and topsoil and sub-soil stockpiles.
• Processing infrastructure including dry processing facilities at Hope Downs 2 and/or Bedded Hilltop deposits.
• Support facilities including workshops, hydrocarbon storage areas, ANFO facilities, laydown areas, turkeys nests, transfer pads and offices.
• Linear infrastructure including heavy and light vehicle access roads, railway crossing, conveyors, pipelines, power distribution network (including sub-stations), communications distribution network and associated communications infrastructure.
• Realignment of approximately 6 km of the Great Northern Highway.
• Infrastructure for surface water management including Pebble Mouse Creek crossings, diversion drains, levees and culverts.
• Infrastructure for water supply including abstraction of groundwater and/or use of surplus water from local sources and adjacent operations.
• Accommodation including installation of a new construction camp may be required to support the implementation of the Hope Down 2 proposal

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.