Iluka Mineral Sands - Murray Basin Stage 2
Proponent: Iluka Resources Limited
Status
The Minister for Planning has released his Assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978 which concludes the EES process. The Assessment has been provided to statutory decision-makers to inform approval decisions on this project.
Final Assessment - Iluka Murray Basin Stage2 (PDF - 2.4 MB) Media Release (PDF - 20 KB)
Project History
On 18 January 2004, the Minister for Planning determined that the proposed Murray Basin Stage 2 Mineral Sands Project required an EES.
Assessment Guidelines for this EES were finalised and issued in March 2005 following consideration of public comments.
Iluka Assessment Guidelines (PDF - 1.5 MB)
Once Iluka completed the EES in response to the Assessment Guidelines, it was placed on exhibition for public comment from 19 February 2008 to 3 April 2008. A Works Approval Application was exhibited concurrently with the EES. Fourteen submissions were received in response.
The project requires approvals under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990, the Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Environment Protection Act 1970. The Commonwealth accredited the Victorian EES process as the means for assessing the relevant environmental impacts under the EPBC Act.
Inquiry
An Inquiry was appointed by the Minister for Planning to consider the project. It held five days of public hearings before preparing its report, which was submitted on 25 September 2008.
Murray Basin Mineral Sands- Stage 2 EES Inquiry Report (PDF - 1.4 MB)
Project Description
Iluka Resources Limited proposes to develop the Murray Basin Stage 2 Project in north-western Victoria. The project is expected to produce approximately 2.4 million tonnes of dry, heavy mineral concentrate over 7.5 years. The project focuses on two main areas of mineralisation: Kulwin deposit, about 28km east of Ouyen and 40km west of Manangatang; and Woornack, Rownack, Rainlover and Pirro deposits about 20km south-east of Ouyen. The footprint of the project area is approximately 2,300 hectares.
Ore will be mined and processed onsite to produce heavy mineral concentrate, which will be transported to Iluka’s mineral separation plant at Hamilton for processing into rutile and zircon for sale on the world markets. The total life of the project will be approximately 13 years.
For additional information on the project contact Iluka Resources Limited.
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