The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said on Monday that it has given its approval for gold miner AngloGold Ashanti Ltd's (ASX: AGG) proposed gold exploration site, which is about 330 kilometre northeast of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

EPA chairman Paul Vogel said that they are just about ready to advise WA Environment Minister Donna Faragher to affix her signature on the proposed project since it would be unlikely that the development proposal would compromise the agency's mandated objectives.

Mr Vogel lauded the South Africa-based mining firm for volunteering to establish the Great Victoria Desert Trust in order to facilitate biological research on dune restoration and rehabilitation.

He said that in doing so, AngloGold has effectively assured EPA that it is quite ready to implement the agency's "recommended conditions relating to flora and fauna, groundwater quality, rehabilitation and mine closure."

Mr Vogel is confident that the EPA decision would lead to "potentially benefit the wider Great Victoria Desert region during and after the life of the project."

AngloGold has committed to complete and submit a feasibility study on the $700 million Tropicana project by the December quarter, which is a joint venture with Independence Group NL by holding a 30 percent stakes on the project.

AngloGold also operates the Sunrise Dam gold exploration site in WA and as of 1357 AEST on Monday, company shares were trading at $9.40, declining by five cents from the previous trading day.