A new uranium mine in the eastern Goldfields region has been recommended for approval, with a number of strict conditions imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority.
A new uranium mine in the eastern Goldfields region has been recommended for approval, with a number of strict conditions imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Vimy Resources' Mulga Rock uranium project will mine up to 4.5 million tonnes of ore per year from four deposits to produce up to 1,360 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate annually for about 16 years.
The project, located about 240 kilometres north-east of Kalgoorlie, will also extract copper, zinc, nickel and cobalt, and will transport the uranium oxide concentrate by road to Port Adelaide in sealed steel drums within a secure shipping container.
EPA chairman Tom Hatton said the board tested the project's environmental acceptability against potential effects on flora and vegetation, terrestrial fauna, human health and inland waters environmental quality.
Among the conditions are that the proponent must have environmental and Aboriginal heritage management plans.
The EPA also concluded radiation exposure to mine workers and the public would be within acceptable limits.
Vimy chief executive Mike Young said he saw no reason why the state and federal environment ministers would not agree with the EPA's assessment.
"This is a project which results in no significant residual impacts to the environment," he said.
The report is now open for a two-week public appeal period.
It follows news earlier this month that the environmental watchdog has recommended rejection of Cameco Australia's Yeelirrie uranium project in the Goldfields after the proposal failed to meet one of nine strict factors.
