Winu Project

Overview

Rio Tinto Winu Pty Limited (the Proponent) proposes to develop the Winu Project (the Proposal). The Proposal is a new copper-gold mine located approximately 300 km south of Broome and 320 km east of Port Hedland in the northern Pilbara region of Western Australia within both the Nyangumarta people’s and the Martu people’s Native Title Determination Areas.

The Proposal conceptual footprint will require the clearing of up to 4,868 ha of native vegetation within a proposed 37,344 ha Development Envelope. The Proposal involves but is not limited to an open pit that extends below the water table, ore processing facilities, ore and topsoil stockpiles, Waste Rock Landforms, Tailings Storage Facility, bore field(s) and associated infrastructure.

Concentrate will be transported by truck via the access road and Great Northern Highway to port by a third party for export. Doré (unrefined gold bar) is expected to be transported via the regular air charter.

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.