1800 305 993 wimmera.project@Iluka.com
In 2018 Iluka developed a test pit in the central part of the WIM100 site. The purpose of the test pit was to gather information to further develop the mining, processing and rehabilitation methods.
Backfilling of the pit commenced in January 2020. Once the overburden has been placed, Iluka will wait 12 months before replacing the subsoil and topsoil. Waiting a year before replacing the subsoil and topsoil allows for settlement and compaction. Lessons learned will be applied to future rehabilitation at Wimmera if the mine goes ahead.
Iluka is preparing an Environment Effects Statement (EES), which will be assessed by the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP). The EES is not an approval document. Rather, the EES will enable the State Minister for Planning to determine whether the impacts of proposed works will be acceptable and do not outweigh the wider benefits of the project. Secondary permits including the mining lease cannot be assessed without first having regard for the Minister’s decision. Further information about the EES process can be found at www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/what-is-the-ees-process-in-victoria the Department of Planning website The Wimmera project will also be assessed under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) (EPBC Act), due to potential impacts on ‘listed threatened species and communities’, ‘listed migratory species’, and ‘nuclear actions’ (relating to mine waste disposal). The EPBC Act assessment is integrated into the Victorian EES process under an agreement between the State and Commonwealth governments. Following completion of the EES process, the Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project is forwarded to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment for a decision on whether to approve the project under the EPBC Act and, if so, under what conditions. Further details on the EPBC Act process can be found at www.environment.gov.au/epbc the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website. Iluka has engaged EMM Consulting Limited to prepare the EES.
A preliminary risk assessment has been undertaken to identify key environmental, social, health and safety risks. Each risk was assessed as being either critical, high, moderate or low based on the assumption that only basic control measures would be in place. Current risks identified include ecology, socio-economic, traffic safety, groundwater extraction/contamination, soil contamination, radiation exposure, visual amenity and geotechnical instability.
Detailed impact studies will be completed which will identify management and mitigation methods after which the risks will be re-assessed.
Yes, in addition to the ongoing opportunity to provide feedback to Iluka, the EES process also provides formal opportunities for stakeholders to comment on the project to the Victorian and Commonwealth governments. Comments can be provided during the public notice period of the draft scoping requirements for the EES and during the public exhibition of the EES.
Further information about the EES process can be found at www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/what-is-the-ees-process-in-victoria the Department of Planning website.
We have been in ongoing discussions with landowners regarding the project and access to undertake environmental monitoring, investigations and assessments. Discussions with landholders to secure access for construction and mining are unlikely to commence until Iluka's Board of Directors approves the project.
If the project proceeds, a workforce of approximately 300-350 people will be required for the two year construction period. Approximately 280-350 people will be required during the 25 year operations phase.