Appeals against Bauxite mine dismissed

Environment Minister John Day has dismissed appeals under the Environmental Protection Act against Bauxite Resources planned mining operation at Bindoon north-east of Perth.

Four parties, including a group called Residents for Responsible Mining, had appealed to the minister to raise the level of assessment from Public Environmental Review (PER) to Environmental Review and Management Programme (ERMP).

The Appeals Convenor said Mr Day rejected the appeal on a number of grounds.

"Broadly the appellants submitted that there would be cumulative impacts of many small mine sites including dust, noise, visual amenity, tourism, flora and fauna, property values, lifestyle, water and road safety.

"The Minister determined that the environmental issues raised by the appellants were of a scale and level of complexity that is appropriate for a PER level of assessment with an eight week review period, as recommended by the EPA.

"The Minister, therefore, dismissed the appeals."

Bauxite Resources chairman Barry Carbon said that the public scoping of the PER was progressing with the aid of professional external consultants.

He said he remains happy with the ongoing level of community involvement.

Bauxite Resources wants to build a 2 million tonne per annum mining operation on farmland at Bindoon.

See company statement below:

Minister for Environment, John Day MLA, has dismissed all appeals under the Environmental Protection Act against the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) level of assessment for Bauxite Resources Limited (ASX:BAU) (BRL) mining proposal for north Bindoon.

Four parties including Ms Clair Medhurst on behalf of the group calling itself Residents for Responsible Mining had appealed to the Minister to raise the level of assessment from Public Environmental Review (PER) to Environmental Review and Management Programme (ERMP).

On behalf of the Minister, the Appeals Convenor issued a written statement to explain the rejection of all appeals:

"Broadly the appellants submitted that there would be cumulative impacts of many small mine sites including dust, noise, visual amenity, tourism, flora and fauna, property values, lifestyle, water and road safety.

The Minister determined that the environmental issues raised by the appellants were of a scale and level of complexity that is appropriate for a PER level of assessment with an eight week review period, as recommended by the EPA. The Minister, therefore, dismissed the appeals."

BRL chairman, Barry Carbon, said that the public scoping of the PER was progressing with the aid of professional external consultants, and that he remains happy with the ongoing level of community involvement.

Further information on the decision is available to the public in the Department of Environment and Conservation library or on the Appeals Convenor website; appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au