The Pilbara could be getting a new iron ore mine with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) giving conditional approval for Rio Tinto’s greenfields Koodaideri mine.
The project now needs to approval from Western Australia’s Minister for Environment, Albert Jacob, to proceed.
However, even with final approval, the mine may not begin construction for over 12 months, with Rio Tinto stating previously that they would not make an investment decision on the project until 2016.
If the project goes ahead it’s expected to produce up to 70 million tonnes of iron ore a year for a mine life of 30 years.
Fourteen conditions have been set on the mine including strict rehabilitation and offset requirements and the creation of an exclusion zone to protect local species.
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