Orebody 32 Below Water Table

Overview

The proposal is a derived proposal to expand existing mining operations at the Newman Hub in the Pilbara, previously authorised by Ministerial Statement (MS) 1105 Pilbara Expansion Strategic Proposal.  

This proponent proposes to expand the existing Orebody 32 above water table iron ore mine (currently authorised by MS 1037 Eastern Ridge Revised Proposal) in BHP’s Newman Hub to below the water table.  

The proposal is located 3.6 km northeast of Newman, and includes activities permitted to be proposed under MS 1105 table 3, such as (but not limited to):  

• groundwater abstraction,  

• excavation of the existing mine pit below the water table,  

• ground disturbance (vegetation and habitat removal up to 224 ha),  

• associated and supporting infrastructure, utilising existing some existing infrastructure, 

• surplus water discharge into Ophthalmia Dam through the development of a new pipeline, and  

• rehabilitation and decommissioning.   

The proposal would have a maximum project life of 30 years and have the option for the formation of a pit lake in Orebody 32 upon decommissioning and rehabilitation.

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.