South32 Worsley Alumina submits revised proposal to EPA for bauxite mine expansion

According to a recent report, South32 Worsley Alumina has submitted a revised proposal to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) stating its wish to expand Worsley bauxite mine in the South West of Australia. In the revised proposal, the Australian mining company has also mentioned that the expansion of the bauxite mine would require two river crossings over the Hotham River and involve clearing up to 7119.5 hectares of native vegetation.

The updated proposal also includes the development of a contingency mining area and maintenance work at the refinery, as well as the development of associated mine and support infrastructure.

The Environmental Protection Authority has kept the proposal open for masses’ suggestions and advice whether the proposal should be assessed and at what level. This consultation procession will close on July 9.

South32’s updated proposal to the EPA followed the decline of the company’s last request to the EPA for granting permission to increase its mining footprint by 1205 hectares in 2017.

The previous proposal had included clearing up to 350 hectares of native vegetation and fauna habitat and the disturbance to the banks of the Hotham River for the development of two haul road crossings. Also, the increase of the refinery production was expected to result in higher residue deposition rates and air emissions.

In FY2018, Worsley Alumina had accounted for $1.47 billion in South32’s revenue and $422 million in underlying earnings before interest and taxes.