WA uranium mining nears realisation as EPA gives nod on Toro Energy papers
Uranium explorer Toro Energy Ltd (ASX: TOE) said on Monday that it is nearing the realisation of its uranium mine site following the approval granted by Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on the company's scoping document for its Wiluna project.
The approval marked the state's entry into uranium mining after years of shunning the industry while Toro Energy is now empowered by the EPA green light to swing its focus in preparing for the environmental review and management program of the Wiluna project.
The document, which Toro Energy said would be completed and ready for public viewing by second quarter of 2011, would the basis to be used by the WA government on its final decision on the pioneering uranium mining site in the state.
Pending further regulatory approvals from the government and the nod of Toro Energy board, the company said that the Wiluna uranium exploration site could commence production by the early part of 2013, following the adjustments made when Toro realised that its original output target date of 2012 was remotely feasible.
Similar uranium production activities were also ongoing in the Midwest region of Western Australia where Mega Uranium Ltd of Canada plans to begin production by the middle part of 2013 following some adjustments made on its initial 2011 target as delays were caused regulatory approval concerns and infrastructure hiccups.
BHP Billiton is also inching its way to the completion of its uranium mining site in Yeelirrie, where the company said production should be in full swing by 2014.
All three uranium projects were given the go signal as WA saw the end of its prohibition on uranium mining in 2008 when the Liberal Party headed by Colin Barnett coalesced with the Nationals and swept the Labor administration then led by Alan Carpenter, who as state premier rigidly opposed the establishment of uranium mining in Western Australia.