LeadFX's Paroo mine advances environmental process
2018-04-04 10:37 ET - News Release
Mr. Andrew Worland reports
LEADFX ANNOUNCES PAROO STATION LEAD MINE HYDROMETALLURGICAL FACILITY ON TRACK FOR Q3 APPROVAL
The Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority has set the level of environmental assessment for LeadFX Inc.'s proposed hydrometallurgical facility at the Paroo Station lead mine as referral information under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act, 1984.
Highlights:
EPA to assess proposed Paroo Station lead mine hydrometallurgical facility as referral information;
Administrative target assessment period of 12 weeks;
Establishes pathway to commencing construction activities in the third quarter of 2018 (1);
Strong community and stakeholder support received.
The EPA's assessment follows review of the company's environmental referral document filed with the EPA and made available to the public on Feb. 5, 2018.
The referral describes the key environmental factors relevant to the construction and operation of the proposed hydrometallurgical facility, including the expansion to the mining footprint. Under the EPA's referral assessment, the company has been requested to provide additional information for the tailings storage facility and management of groundwater mounding, management of lead and the proposed condition-setting framework.
The company will provide information to support the EPA's administrative target of completing their report and recommendations to Western Australia's Minister for Environment in 12 weeks.
The Minister for Environment will consider the EPA's report and any public appeals before determining, in consultation with other state government ministers, whether the proposal should be allowed to proceed and if so, under what conditions. No federal government assessment is required.
The hydrometallurgical facility definitive feasibility study was completed in February, 2018, and demonstrated the technical and financial viability of the construction and operation of the facility, capable of producing approximately 70,000 tone per year of lead ingot (metal). It would be built adjacent to the existing concentrator plant at Paroo Station.
In preparing the referral, management undertook comprehensive stakeholder engagement -- meeting directly with all 20 local government representatives impacted by activities already approved under existing environmental conditions for operations at Paroo Station, various state regulators including the EPA, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety, and community groups.
The EPA assessment process is the Western Australian Government's primary approval requirement for the hydrometallurgical facility. In parallel, secondary licensing approvals with various key decision-making authorities of the state government are also being progressed.
(1) Subject to EPA approval, ministerial approval and financing.
