Mardie salt and potash project given favourable EPA recommendation
Published by Nicholas Woodroof,
Editor
World Fertilizer,
The Minister will now consult with other WA Government Departments before making a final decision. Environmental approval is one of the few remaining milestones on the road to BCI’s Final Investment Decision (FID).
The EPA recommendation includes 19 proposed conditions to be adhered to in the construction and operation of the Mardie project, which are consistent with BCI’s designs, costings and implementation plans. Where required, BCI will make minor modifications to drainage design to improve management of surface water flow, and BCI will contribute funds to the WA Government’s Pilbara Environmental Offset Fund and other research and management programmes. These changes will not have a material impact on the design and economic assumptions supporting Mardie’s development.
BCI’S Managing Director, Alwyn Vorster said: “This positive environmental assessment represents four years of collaboration with the EPA and evidences our systematic approach to approvals and our willingness to engage with stakeholders. Mardie’s comprehensive environmental management plans will ensure the environmental values will be appropriately managed and protected. We are confident that the Mardie ERD with associated EPA conditions are aligned with environmental best practice and will meet the expectations of the WA Government.”
The EPA recommendation is based on Mardie’s Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). Additional project areas located on newly acquired tenements will be subject to further environmental assessment and approvals over the next 12-15 months. Construction access to these additional areas is not required until late in 2022. Due to these areas being considerably smaller than the original DFS footprint and largely covering an area infested by Mesquite weed, the assessment process is expected by BCI to be relatively less complex.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/potash/08072021/mardie-salt-and-potash-project-given-favourable-epa-recommendation/
You might also like
Fenner Dunlop upgrades mobile app
The company has announced the release of an updated version of its mobile application, ‘Belt Buddy’, a tool which provides guidance on a wide range of conveyor belt technical subjects.