Mt Weld Rare Earths Project – Life of Mine Proposal

Closed 11 Sep 2022

Opened 5 Sep 2022

Contact

6364 7000

Overview

Mt Weld Mining Pty Ltd proposes to expand the Mt Weld Mine, which includes the construction and operation of a rare earths mine and processing plant, to its life of mine extent. 

The expansion proposes to increase the development envelope from the currently approved 505 hectares (ha) to 2,802 ha, to allow for expansion of infrastructure and activities, including:  

  • a staged transition from diesel fuelled power generation to gas hybrid renewable (including solar and battery energy storage, and future wind generation)  

  • workers accommodation village 

  • additional borefield and tailings water recycling 

  • waste rock landforms designed for progressive rehabilitation 

  • expansion to the ROM pad 

  • surface water management infrastructure and managed aquifer recharge 

  • increase in production capacity, and transport 

  • changes to tailings disposal methodology 

  • transport and storage of Kalgoorlie REPF by-products for long term storage at Mt Weld. 

The life of mine is proposed to be an additional 23 years.

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.

Areas

  • All of Western Australia

Audiences

  • Public

Interests

  • Seven-day comment on referrals