The Browns Range Rare Earths Project earmarked for the far north east of Western Australia has received environmental approval to proceed from the Western Australian Government.
Owners of the project, Northern Minerals announced yesterday that mine and ore processing facility would now go ahead at Browns Range
Northern Minerals’ Managing Director, George Bauk, said achieving this milestone now paves the way for the development of the Project, which is poised to become the world’s next dysprosium producer.
“Receiving the primary environmental approval is a significant step forward in the Project’s development and clears the path for Browns Range to become the first significant dysprosium producer outside of China.”
“The focus is now on finalising the Project’s Feasibility Study and securing offtake and financing to progress the Project through construction in 2015 and commissioning in 2016.”
The Project was referred to the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in May 2013. In August 2014, the EPA recommended approval of the Project to the WA Minister for Environment, stating it considers the Project can be managed to meet the EPA’s environmental objectives subject to its recommended conditions being adopted.
Mr Bauk said a significant amount of work had gone into completing the environmental approvals process to deliver the positive outcomes achieved. During this process, no appeals were lodged against the EPA’s report, recommendations and conditions following a statutory appeal period.
“The Ministerial Statement is the culmination of two and a half years of comprehensive environmental and technical studies, extensive community and stakeholder engagement, and thorough assessment by government agencies.”
“We are very pleased with the way the process has been undertaken and the outcomes achieved.”
The Federal Government Department of Environment has assessed Browns Range as a “Not Controlled Action” which means the Project does not require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act 1999.
Bauk said that the company’s focus would now be on finalising the feasibility study for the project and securing offtake and financing to progress Browns Range through to construction in 2015 and commissioning in 2016.
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