Using this approach, the company has been granted
approvals for each of its existing mining operations including
Yandi, Mining Area C, Wheelarra, Yarrie and its satellite
ore bodies, and then most recently its new Jimblebar mine,
currently under construction, which is located 41 kilometres
east of Newman.
In evaluating these development proposals, the primary
focus for environmental assessment has been whether
the proposed mining operations potentially impact on
environmental factors such as flora, fauna, ground and
surface water within the project boundary. However,
the benefits of utilising an approach for environmental
assessment which considers the broader longer term
view, and provide the ‘big picture’ framework necessary
for landscape-scale environmental stewardship, are clear.
Environmental knowledge and capacity
For more than five years, BHP Billiton Iron Ore has been
undertaking a range of biodiversity studies in areas not just
around its mining operations, but also on the company’s
broader mining tenements located throughout the central
Pilbara. This approach has generated extensive data and
understanding about flora, fauna, groundwater and heritage,
complementing the company’s already considerable
knowledge and experience in managing the impacts that
mining can have on a region.
Fresh approach to
environmental assessment
BHP Billiton Iron Ore is proud of its ongoing commitment to
its environmental responsibilities and is continually looking
for ways to improve its conservation management practices.
The strategic environmental assessment process that has
been commenced by the company provides the scope for
considering and managing environmental issues across
BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s proposed future mine and associated
infrastructure developments in the central Pilbara region,
not just on a project-by-project basis. The process will allow
government to consider not only individual project issues,
but also the combined or cumulative issues associated with
multiple operations.
Brett Swayn, Vice President of Health, Safety, Environment
and Community (HSEC) at BHP Billiton Iron Ore, said adopting
an approach that takes a more holistic and longer term view
in the assessment of mining operations is a goal shared by
both BHP Billiton Iron Ore as well as state and commonwealth
environmental agencies.
“
The state and commonwealth governments have been
seeking ‘landscape-scale’ environmental assessments
where possible, and BHP Billiton Iron Ore supports this
aspiration. We believe it is important to use a methodology
that allows us to better utilise the extensive environmental
data and knowledge that we have garnered, and to apply it
to enhance assessment of our future proposed projects
across the central Pilbara,” Mr Swayn said.
Strategic and derived proposals
On the back of having operated in the Pilbara since the 1960s,
and leveraging this more recent accumulation of scientific,
environmental and social data, BHP Billiton Iron Ore became
the first mining company to refer a ‘strategic proposal’ to the
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for the purposes of
a regional-scale assessment of its potential mining and related
infrastructure operations in the central Pilbara.
A strategic proposal outlines a range of future plans (and
proposals) which individually or in combination, may have a
significant effect on the environment. The assessment of the
strategic proposal would result in the approval of a standard
set of environmental conditions, essentially providing the
‘
environmental framework’ for the proposed operations.
Following government approval of the strategic proposal, BHP
Billiton Iron Ore would refer to the EPA a specific ‘derived
proposal’ as each mining operation is proposed. This enables
additional information to be provided to the government as
specific details of each project are determined.
The strategic and derived proposal assessment process
is undertaken using existing provisions under the WA
Environmental ProtectionAct, 1986
.
These provisions are similar
to those used in environmental legislation both elsewhere
in Australia and in a number of other countries throughout
the world.
The company is also preparing a strategic assessment
under the Commonwealth environmental legislation
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act, 1999
,
and is working closely with the state and
commonwealth environmental agencies during the assessment
processes to maximise opportunities for integration and
assessment efficiencies.
Benefits for stakeholders
The EPAhas stated that the strategic approach to environmental
assessment can provide value for the community because
the early consideration of environmental issues allows
stakeholders an opportunity to influence the detailed design
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