An environmental lobby group has claimed victory after Thai company PTT Asia Pacific Mining withdrew its plan to develop the $200 million Yannarie solar salt project on the eastern side of the Exmouth Gulf.
Halt the Salt - formed through the alliance of the Conservation Council, MG Kailis Group and Recfishwest - had been lobbying for the past four years against the project, saying the development would damage the ecosystem and the marine life in the area.
The group said the Environmental Protection Authority had confirmed that PTT had withdrawn its plans.
"This proposal was always in the wrong location," Halt the Salt said.
"The eastern Gulf is a pristine area that should be protected for future generations.
"We now look to the state government to remove the Ministerial provision currently in place reserving this area for salt production and provide permanent protection for the Yannarie Delta from mining and resource development."
PTT, a subsidiary of PTTEP, had acquired the project from Straits Resources last year.
At the time of the sale, Straits had been pursuing an appeal after the EPA knocked back the development in 2008.
