Process unchanged: EPA

THE Environmental Protection Authority has denied it has taken a tougher stance on project approvals after striking out three mining-related developments in its only recommendations this year.

In its latest recommendation released this week, Western Australia’s environmental watchdog knocked back Bemax Resources’ proposed mineral sand mine at Happy Valley near Boyanup.

Since the end of January it has also recommended the environment minister reject Central West Coal’s mine to supply the proposed Coolimba power station, and Hanson Construction Materials’ proposal to expand its quarry at Red Hill.

All of the recent negative decisions occur in the south-west quarter of the state.

An EPA spokesman said the string of negative recommendations was simply coincidence and did not reflect a new stance from the regulator.

“Things work their way through the system and this is just the way they came out,” the spokesman said.

“It is rare to have these things come together.”

In its recommendation on Monday, the EPA said it was unlikely to support any further development on the Whicher Scarp, near Boyanup, after it knocked back Bemax’s proposal to develop a new mine, expected to supply the Bunbury titanium dioxide manufacturing operations of its Saudi Arabian parent company Cristal Global.

The Happy Valley titanium mine plan, adjacent to its existing Gwindinup titanium project, involved the clearing of 146 hectares of regionally significant native vegetation on the scarp, which EPA chairman Paul Vogel said would result in “unacceptable impacts”.

“The area has been significantly impacted by mineral sands mining and nearly the entire Whicher Scarp is subject to current exploration licences or mining leases,” Dr Vogel said in his announcement.

“The EPA is unlikely to support any further development on the Whicher Scarp.”

Bemax said it had a 50-year history of successful mining and rehabilitation in the South West.

“The company is considering its options in regard to the EPA’s recommendation on the Happy Valley project,’’ Bemax operations manager Garry Fee said.

Last week, listed power hopeful Aviva Corporation said it would lodge an appeal to the EPA recommending it not approve the mining of a 75 million tonne coal resource owned by Central West Coal. Aviva no longer holds the rights to coal from the project but has continued to pursue the environmental green light for the mine, which is close to its gas and coal-fired Coolimba Power Project.

The EPA opposed the development because of the expected impact of mine dewatering on nearby Lake Logue Nature Reserve and the clearing of more than 850ha of land adjacent to the South Eneabba Nature Reserve, which hosts Carnaby’s Cockatoo.

On January 31, national construction materials giant Hanson’s bid to expend its Red Hill quarry was rejected by the EPA.

The EPA said the development would destroy six Aboriginal heritage sites of significance to the Nyungah people.

“This would not meet the EPA’s objective to ensure that changes to the biophysical environment do not adversely affect historical and cultural associations,” Dr Vogel said.

The EPA was also concerned about the visual impact of the expansion and the break-up of existing habitat, including the conservation reserves that adjoin the property.