Western Australian Environment Minister Bill Marmion has granted
approval for Toro Energy to proceed with the State’s first uranium mine to be
developed, four years after the Liberal government lifted a ban imposed by
Labor. The project is based at the Centipede and Lake Way deposits near Wiluna
in the State’s Mid-West, processing approximately 820 tonnes of uranium oxide
concentrate per year. The capital cost expected to be about $280 million.
In May, the Environmental Protection Authority recommended
the Minister approve the project, subject to strict conditions. Mr Marmion said
the environment will be sufficiently monitored in the event that the project
obtains Commonwealth approval, with stringent dust management and
rehabilitation measures in place to protect stygofauna and
groundwater-dependent vegetation.
Environmental groups have criticised the decision,
claiming that the uranium industry is fading and the announcement was only made
to fast track the Barnett Government’s political agenda.
The Commonwealth is expected to make its decision by the
end of 2012. The company hopes to have the mine operating by 2014, with the
first uranium sales in 2014-2015.
The decision will likely assist other similar uranium mine
projects being developed in W.A.
Herbert Smith Freehills assists the development of many of
Western Australia’s significant mining projects and will continue to monitor
the development of the uranium industry in WA.
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