Toro Uranium Mine Project Receives Environmental Clearance from WA State Government
Toro Energy Limited and its highly-contested Wiluna uranium mine project in the Mid-West region has received an environmental clearance from the Western Australia state government.
Subject to a number of strict conditions, WA Environment Minister Bill Marmion ensured the environment will be adequately monitored and protected.
"The new conditions will strengthen protection of stygofauna and groundwater-dependent vegetation, including Tecticornia samphires, and better address surface water flows, dust management and rehabilitation," Mr Marmion said.
"Toro will also be required to research the water requirements of groundwater-dependent vegetation and more closely monitor stygofauna in the three calcrete ecosystems to be partially impacted by the proposal."
In May, WA's Environmental Protection Authority gave its full support to Toro Energy and its plans to build and develop what would be WA's first uranium mine after five years.
As expected, it faced strong opposition from environmentalists. Another group, the Conservation Council of Western Australia, said even Toro Energy must not be allowed to push through with the project on the basis that it has yet to provide a safe and reliable track record in uranium mine construction, development and maintenance.
Mr Marmion said the approval followed consultative meetings with other decision-making authorities including the Department of Environment and Conservation, WA's resources minister Norman Moore and the state's Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Energy Peter Collier.
Having granted the environmental approval by the state government, Toro Energy needs to wait for the federal government decision's before finally pursuing the project.
From an earlier target date of end 2012, Adelaide-based Toro Energy has moved to the first half of 2013 its final board decision whether to proceed developing the project.
Controlled 39 per cent owned by OZ Minerals, Toro Energy plans to start construction and commissioning through 2013. First sales are expected in 2014. Wiluna is expected to churn out 1,200 tonnes a year of uranium oxide. Its' projected mine lifespan is up to 14 years.