EPA recommends approval for Warrawoona

Calidus Resources is one step closer to commencing its Warrawoona gold project, with the EPA today recommending conditional approval for the prospective mine.

The proposal, consisting of four open pits and one underground mine around 20km south of Marble Bar, is anticipated to produce 2 million tonnes of ore per annum to be processed over a period of around six years.

In providing its decision, EPA chair Tom Hatton said the agency was concerned with how clearing native vegetation may impact local fauna and recommended that Calidus implement policies to limit that impact.

That included recommending Calidus implement a significant species management plan, as well as create a 32ha mining exclusion zone to protect vital roosts and habitats.

In addition, Dr Hatton said the EPA had recommended Calidus contribute to the Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund to counterbalance any impact caused by clearing fauna habitat.

“The Pilbara region is under increasing pressure from growing development and land use and the EPA is supportive of the strategic focus of the fund as a mechanism to coordinate offsets across a range of land tenures,” Dr Hatton said.

The EPA’s report will be open for public appeal until July 8.

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson will make the final decision on whether to approve the proposal.