The Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has rejected Sinosteel Midwest Corporation’s proposal to mine hematite ore at Koolanooka Hills and two locations at Mungada, 125 km south east of Geraldton.
EPA chairman Paul Vogel said the project area in the State’s Midwest should be maintained as a nature reserve.
“The Mungada East mine cannot be managed to meet the EPA’s objectives in relation to the conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity and the EPA has recommended that it not proceed,” Vogel said.
Sinosteel had also proposed that it reinstate the Mungada Haul Road to its original width and construct an accommodation camp at Old Karara Homestead.
The EPA advised Western Australia Environment Minister Donna Faragher to knock back plans for Mungada East, which is on the Mungada Ridge, but allow mining at Mungada West, which is not on the ridge.
“The EPA has recommended environmental conditions to the Minister for Environment to apply to the majority of Sinosteel Midwest’s proposal, that is for Koolanooka Hills, the Mungada West mine, Mungada Haul Road and the accommodation camp at Old Karara Homestead,” Vogel said.