Western Australian EPA Okays New BHP Billiton Iron Ore Mine

Mining Weekly reported that the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended that BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BLT) be allowed to develop and operate a new open pit iron ore mine 10 kilometers from Newman.
As quoted in the market news:

The project, currently dubbed Orebody 32 Above Water Table, would include conventional openpit operations above the water table and infrastructure, including storage areas and a haul road.
Mined iron-ore would be transported to existing processing facilities at the proponent’s adjacent and already-approved Orebody 24 and 25 mines. EPA chairperson Paul Vogel said the proposal was able to meet the EPA’s environmental objectives.
“In assessing this project, the EPA took into account the proponent’s efforts to avoid, minimise and rehabilitate environmental impacts associated with the project,” he said. “This has included using existing stockpiles and infrastructure at its adjacent mines, rehabilitating disturbed areas when they are no longer needed and providing a buffer of 50 m along the Homestead Creek to avoid impacts to fringing vegetation.”
Vogel said the EPA had recommended seven conditions, including measures to address rehabilitation and decommissioning of the mine.

Click here to read the full Mining Weekly report.