Environment minister Reece Whitby has supported “extensive” changes to the conditions attached to a planned expansion of the Boddington bauxite mine in WA’s South West.
Environment minister Reece Whitby has supported “extensive” changes to the conditions attached to a planned expansion of the Boddington bauxite mine in WA’s South West.
Perth-based South32 has described the Minister’s determination as a positive outcome while conservation groups are likely to be disappointed.
South32 previously expressed alarm about proposed environmental conditions, saying they cast doubt on the viability of the mine expansion and its Worsley Alumina business.
“Several proposed conditions would create significant operating challenges and went beyond reasonable measures for managing environmental risks based on scientific assessment and decades of operating experience,” the company said.
The Minister’s determination, released yesterday, comes after the Appeals Convenor reviewed the advice of WA’s Environmental Protection Authority
A total of 134 appeals were lodged, including one from South32.
Many of the appeals raised concern about the impact on flora and fauna from the mine expansion, which involves clearing of up to 3,855 hectares of native vegetation.
South32 said it was pleased with the Minister’s determination.
“The Minister has agreed with the Appeals Committee’s recommendations to amend specific conditions based on the arguments presented during the appeals process, including by Worsley Alumina,” it said.
One of many points of concern was the treatment of greenhouse gas emissions from the project.
Critics argued that the conditions recommended by the EPA were inadequate and unlikely to be effective.
“The use of offsets concerned many appellants, who raised concerns with the ACCU scheme and its ability to mitigate impacts from climate change,” the appeals convenor said.
“Particular concern was raised in regard to compliance with the scheme and the EPA’s consideration of their effectiveness. “
Conversely, South32 appealed on the grounds that the recommended conditions were not reasonably practicable and inconsistent with the federal government’s Safeguard Mechanism.
It also raised concern about the treatment of scope 2 and 3 emissions.
A key factor in the Minister’s determination was a recent change in WA government policy, such that major projects are covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.
In this regard, South32 welcomed the removal of “unnecessary duplication between Commonwealth and State regulation”.
The Minister noted that the project’s emission profile would not fundamentally change as a result of the recent policy change.
“On this basis the Minister has agreed that the matter can be addressed though the amendment of conditions and the proposal does not need to be remitted back to the EPA,” he concluded.
“The Minister has noted the EPA’s response to the consultation conducted by the Committee and the conditions which have been proposed as a result of implementing the new State Policy.
“The Minister has specifically referred to the monitoring conditions which will ensure that the predicted sequestration of GHG will be expected to match the effect of the clearing of native vegetation in due course.
“The Minister has understood from the Committee’s report that these impacts were the substantial difference between the EPA’s intended original trajectory for GHG and the Safeguard Mechanism.
“On that basis, the Minister has been satisfied that the conditions proposed to be applied following the State Policy will result in comparable outcomes and the objectives of the EPA being met.”
The Minister also concluded that the Safeguard Mechanism was sufficient to meet the EPA’s requirement to avoid and minimise emissions as far as practicable.
“The Minister has acknowledged the appellants concern on this matter but find that utilising a robust national mechanism for emission reductions and the application of offsets is an appropriate approach that will deliver the required outcomes,” he concluded.
South32 said a detailed assessment of all the conditions referred to in the Minister’s determination was underway.
It added that state approval of the project through a Ministerial Statement is expected later this month.
Federal approval is expected in early calendar year 2025.
