Decision looms on CSR Jurien mine

The state government is likely to decide within weeks on a proposal by CSR Gyprock Fibre Cement to expand mining operations over 53 hectares within a C Class nature reserve near Jurien.

The government’s environmental advisory body, the Environmental Protection Authority, has said it would prefer the extension not to proceed.

However, the EPA acknowledged that government policy provides for consideration of extensions to existing mining operations in nature reserves subject to appropriate environmental conditions and the establishment of conservation benefits.

The mining proposal, located in Gypsum Lake within the Beekeepers Nature Reserve, 10 kilometres north of Jurien, estimates a project life of 25 years. The operation requires dredging operations to be undertaken for two to four weeks every second year to excavate 100,000 tonnes of gypsum from CSR’s mining lease.

EPA chairman Dr Wally Cox told WA Business News that if approval were granted by the environment minister, the authority would reco-mmended mining be limited to 12.7ha, equating to 300,000t of gypsum to be mined over a six-year period.

“The EPA is concerned any development must be compatible with the C Class reserve,” he said. 

“It would be preferable that the extension not proceed, however existing government policy provides for consideration of extensions to existing mining operations in nature reserves subject to appropriate environmental conditions and offsets.”

Dr Cox said the Gypsum Lake was one of a number of seasonal saline lakes in the region and provided a significant habitat for local and migratory bird species.

“Mining will reduce the lake bed area available for formation of algal mats, which have a key role in primary production and hence the lake’s ecology and the mining of gypsum also had the potential to affect the lake’s fringing vegetation,” he said.

“The creation of four-metre deep mine voids will reduce the available habitat for waders and other water birds on Gypsum Lake.”

CSR spokesperson John Halden told WA Business News the EPA’s recommendations meant CSR would be asked to monitor the future mining impact on the Gypsum Lake.

“CSR will have six years worth of mining and over that time we will maintain an environmental assessment on the mining,” he said.

“At the end of the six years and after we have provided environ-mental assessment, then we will look to mine the remaining 19 years of the project’s life.”

Mr Halden said that although there would be minimal environmental impact, the mining may affect wading birds as the lake would be deeper as a result of dredging.

He said CSR Gyprock had been mining in the area for the past 12 years with minimal environmental impact.

CSR Gyprock will use facilities currently employed in adjacent mining lease M70/750 for mining purposes at its Gypsum Lake lease.

Environment Minister Mark McGowan will take into consideration reports by the EPA and the Appeal Convenor on any appeals that may be received when making a final decision on the mining extension.