EPA gives environmental approval to Solomon mine expansion in the Pilbara

Monica Gameng   |   November 24, 2016

Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has just given iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group the environmental approval to extend their operations at the Solomon mine in the Pilbara region for up to another 35 year.

According to EPA, it has recommended the approval of Fortescue’s plans to expand its Solomon mine – located in the Hamersley Ranges about 1,500 kilometres north of Perth.

“The proposal includes new mining areas in the Castle Valley and Fredericks deposits and mining infrastructure such as processing plants and bore fields and the operation of the existing Hamersley Rail line,” EPA said in a statement.

19 conditions were recommended by EPA which includes measures to manage vegetation and flora species, terrestrial fauna and ground water drawdown for water supply purposes as well as the condition to prevent ground water and surface water contamination.

Fortescue’s Solomon mine expansion project will require clearing 12,146 hectares of land on top of the 6,313 hectares that was already cleared for the existing mine.

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Source: Australian Mining and Reuters
Monica Gameng
Monica Gameng
As Felix's Marketing Assistant since 2015, Monica is responsible for researching and sharing new and progressing projects within the construction and mining sectors in Australia. It's no surprise that Monica has her finger on the pulse of Australian major projects given she has produced more than 1,000 posts. She truly is an industry expert.
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