Rio Tinto’s proposed mega copper mine in the Pilbara has taken a major step forward, with plans put out today by the state’s environmental watchdog for public comment.
Rio Tinto’s proposed mega copper mine in the Pilbara has taken a major step forward, with plans put out today by the state’s environmental watchdog for public comment.
The Environmental Protection Authority on Wednesday opened public feedback on the iron giant’s 721 million tonne copper mine situated between Broome and Port Hedland in the Pilbara.
That submission outlines plans for a 37,344-hectare development envelope comprising an open-pit mine, roads and borefields. About 4,868ha of native vegetation would be cleared.
In supporting documents to the application, Rio Tinto said the mine would be managed through a mix of Western science and traditional knowledge.
“Rio Tinto will aim to minimise impact to country, intangible and tangible culture, and support the economic, social aspirations and opportunities for current and future generations of Nyangumarta people and Martu people,” the miner said.
Documents filed alongside the proposal suggest Nyangumarta native title holders back the project at this stage.
Rio Tinto is exploring transfer of ownership of the airstrip required for the mine to the Martu people, who have also endorsed the mine at this stage.
Rio Tinto has also undertaken to slash emissions for the mine by generating power from liquefied natural gas, wind, solar and battery storage.
The mine site sits close to the proposed BP-operated Australian Renewable Energy Hub, which looms as a potential frontrunner to meet the project’s requirement should both get up.
Getting Winu across the line has been no easy feat for Rio Tinto, which discovered the copper play in 2018.
Construction was initially penciled in to start in 2021 but, with the first stage of the EPA process having just begun, it remains some way off.
As of December 2022, Winu held a 499mt inferred mineral resource and 222mt indicated resource going at 0.38 per cent and 0.45 per cent copper, respectively.
The total mineral resource also carried about 0.34 grams per tonne of gold.
Copper has been widely tipped by analysts as a strong investment over the next few years due to a predicted boom in demand and shortfall in supply as world economies and companies race to decarbonise.
