DEVELOPMENT of a mineral sands mine north-west of Balranald that could create more than 750 jobs has advanced to the next stage, with an environmental impacts statement (EIS) currently out for public comment.
The massive document – made up of eight separate volumes – outlines the company’s plans for the construction, processing and rehabilitation of the West Balranald and Nepean mine sites about 12km out of town.
The project would see an open-cut mineral sands mine constructed, with up to 14.4 million tonnes of mineral sands mined over a 15-year period.
In its lifetime, more than 750 jobs are expected to be created – 225 during the peak construction phase and 550 ongoing jobs once the mine is fully operational.
A processing plant will also be developed at the Balranald site to separate heavy mineral concentrate and ilmenite from the ore, with the concentrate to be sent to a plant at Hamilton for further processing, while the ilmenite will go to Manangatang to be loaded onto a train and taken to port.
With the mineral deposits “contained within a lower marine sequence in the Loxton Parilla Sands Formation”, a network of injection borefields will be developed to return hypersaline groundwater to the aquifer.
Overall, the project is estimated to have a total net production benefit of $148 million.
“While the Balranald Project would result in the cessation of agricultural activities in the project area for its duration, these impacts would be temporary, and the majority of the land would be progressively rehabilitated to enable future use for agriculture and grazing,” the document outlined.
“Part of the land would be restored with native vegetation communities to re-establish a fauna corridor linking native vegetation communities to the east and west of the West Balranald mine.”
A Department of Planning and Environment spokesperson said the local community always has an opportunity to share their views.
“Community consultation is an integral part of the planning process and the applicant will have to respond to the feedback we receive and this is taken into consideration when we develop our recommendations,” the spokesperson said.
To make a submission or view the environmental impact statement visit www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au
A physical copy of the document can be found at the Balranald Shire Council office.
Public submissions are open until July 6.
For more stories, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (June 5).
