Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority has given the green light to Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd's proposal to upgrade its refinery production by about 35 per cent to 4.4 million tonnes per annum.
The Environmental Protection Authority has given the green light to Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd's proposal to upgrade its refinery production by about 35 per cent to 4.4 million tonnes per annum.
Last week, Worsley - which is 86 per cent owned by BHP Billiton Ltd - revealed it was conducting a feasibility study into expanding the refinery to 4.3Mtpa from current operating levels of 3.25Mtpa, a move that was expected to cost $900 million.
The joint venture partners have contracted Bechtel to deliver engineering procurement and construction management services covering the feasibility, transition and execution phases of the expansion.
The operation already has approvals to produce 3.7Mtpa and work is now underway on a series of improvements at the refinery which will increase production to 3.5 million tonnes per year, with commissioning scheduled for the first quarter of 2006
Alcoa is still pursuing the environmental approval process for its expansion proposal at Wagerup.
Below is a full copy of the EPA release:
The Environmental Protection Authority has provided advice and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment; Science on Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd's proposal to upgrade the Worsley refinery in order to increase production to 4.4 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).
Worsley has approval for production of 3.7Mtpa, and the refinery currently operates at 3.25Mtpa.
EPA Chairman Dr Wally Cox said that it was unlikely that the EPA's objectives would be compromised provided there was satisfactory implementation by the proponent of their commitments and the recommended conditions.
"The health risk assessment has concluded that emissions from the refinery are very unlikely to cause direct acute or chronic health effects on the surrounding population," Dr Cox said.
"Best practicable technology will be used to minimise the discharge of atmospheric emissions from the refinery.
"Air dispersion modelling indicates that cumulative oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and ozone ground level concentrations will not exceed the relevant national standards.
"Maximum 24-hour average micro particulate ground level concentrations from the refinery are predicted to be well below the national standard. Air toxics are also predicted to be low.
"A thermal oxidiser has been installed on the liquor burner and odorous emissions from this source are now expected to be negligible.
"Even so the proponent is also required to prepare and implement an air quality management plan for odour management."
The air quality management plan will include:
an air quality improvement plan addressing priority areas including volatile organic carbon emissions from the calciner;
a field odour assessment study;
an assessment of odour from the refinery catchment lake; and
an emissions monitoring program with emphasis on odour emissions from significant point and area sources.
"None of the proposed mining envelopes are in areas which are proposed to be reserved for conservation," Dr Cox said.
"However, the proposed clearing and mining has potential to have significant impact on the environmental values of the State Forest if not planned, investigated, managed, and rehabilitated to a very high standard.
"Further investigations are needed for a better understanding of the biodiversity of the areas within, and in proximity to, the proposed new mining areas.
"It has been recommended that the proponent not undertake any mining or transport corridor construction activities that would result in the direct or indirect disturbance of heathland, significant vegetation complexes, threatened ecological communities, granite outcrops, significant populations of declared rare fauna, populations of Threatened Fauna, stream zones, and the habitat of Threatened or Priority Fauna or any other areas of importance identified by the required additional biodiversity investigations.
"In addition, the proponent will have to prepare a rehabilitation plan to ensure that the planning and implementation of rehabilitation is undertaken consistent with industry best practice, so that rehabilitated areas will ultimately develop sustainable systems compatible with surrounding areas."
The EPA's report is subject to appeal until close of business Monday 12 December 2005 and available at www.epa.wa.gov.au.
Appeals are considered by the independent Appeals Convenor (9220 5072). The Convenor prepares a report for the Minister for Environment, Science on any appeals that may be received. The Minister then takes into consideration both the EPA's and the Convenor's report when making her final decision on any proposal.
The EPA is a five person board providing independent overarching environmental advice to the Minister for the Environment; Science through the preparation of environmental protection policies and the assessment of development proposals and management plans, as well as providing public statements about matters of environmental importance.
The EPA is supported by the EPA Service Unit. This Unit sits administratively within the Department of Environment but for EPA matters is under the control of the EPA.
Below is Worsley Alumina's release regarding potential production expansion from last week:
Efficiency and Growth Project feasibility study
Joint venture partners in the Worsley Alumina project BHPBilliton, Japan Alumina Associates and Sojitz Alumina Pty Ltd have begun a full feasibility study to increase production at the Worsley refinery to 4.3 million tonnes a year.
The feasibility study into the Efficiency and Growth Project is due to be completed in the middle of 2006. Subject to Government and corporate approval, construction will start in October-November 2006 and commissioning will begin at the end of 2008.
The feasibility study will report on:
* an expansion of mining and ore transport operations;
* changes to the existing overland conveyor to cater for increased bauxite transport to the refinery; and
* modifications and upgrades to the refinery.
The expansion is expected to cost $900 million (US$ 672 million).
The Worsley Project is a joint venture between BHP Billiton Pty Ltd (86 per cent), Japan Alumina Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd (10 per cent) and Sojitz Alumina Pty Ltd (4 per cent).
The joint venture partners have contracted Bechtel to deliver Engineering Procurement and Construction Management services covering the Feasibility, Transition and Execution phases of the expansion.
Pete Wilshaw, general manager of Worsley Alumina, said that Bechtel had been chosen because of its demonstrated international experience in the alumina industry.
He said proposed design, technology and process improvements would enhance Worsley's reputation as a low-cost producer.
The work would also deliver important environmental performance improvements through better emission control, water use and energy efficiency.
The Worlsey alumina refinery began production in 1984 with an annual capacity of 1 million tonnes of alumina. Subsequent upgrades and expansion projects have lifted capacity to 3.25 million tonnes a year.
Work is now underway on a series of Development Capital Projects improvements at the refinery which will increase production to 3.5 million tonnes per year with commissioning scheduled for the first quarter of 2006.
A comprehensive Environmental Review and Management Programme related to the Efficiency and Growth Project was submitted to the WA Government and to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in May this year.