The Western Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it has granted approval to Toro Energy to construct the state’s first uranium mine, after the proposal was ‘meticulously examined by the board.’

 

“As with all the proposals assessed by the EPA, I can assure the public we have applied the highest level of scrutiny in our examination of its environmental acceptability,” EPA Chairman Paul Vogel said.

 

Toro Energy’s proposal consists of two deposits, Centipede and Lake Way, about 550 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie. The project includes the mining, processing and transport of uranium oxide concentrate product.

 

It is expected the mine will operate for 14 years, with up to two million tonnes of mineralised ore mined and 1200 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate expected to be produced each year.

 

Dr Vogel said the Radiological Council, with support from the Department of Health, and the Department of Mines and Petroleum had primary responsibility for ensuring radiation risks were managed within international and national standards to protect human and environmental health.

 

“These key government agencies are responsible for regulating the mining, processing, packing, handling, storage and transport of uranium oxide concentrate,” Dr Vogel said.

 

“DMP has primary responsibility on the mine site and the Radiological Council has primary responsibility off-site. The Commonwealth also has legislation and power in relation to transport.

 

“During our thorough assessment, the EPA consulted extensively with these agencies and considers that the existing regulatory framework provides a comprehensive legislative system for regulating uranium mining and transport.”

 

The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two week public appeal period, closing June 5, 2012.


The report can be found here