Media Statement
Monday 19 July 2010
EPA REPORT 1361 – TROPICANA GOLD PROJECT
The Environmental Protection Authority has released advice and recommendations to the
Minister for Environment on the proposal by Tropicana Joint Venture to develop and operate an
open-cut gold mine with infrastructure and utilities located approximately 330 kilometres east
northeast of Kalgoorlie and 200 km east of Laverton.
EPA Chairman Paul Vogel said that it is unlikely that the EPA’s objectives would be
compromised, provided there is satisfactory implementation by the proponent of the
recommended conditions.
“A number of conservation significant fauna have been recorded in the area, however the
EPA considers that the proposal is unlikely to have a significant impact and the risk of fauna
mortality due to open pipeline trenches during construction of the water pipeline and
communications link can be managed,” Dr Vogel said.
The EPA commended the Tropicana Joint Venture for the extensive biological survey program
undertaken to date by the proponent, which has advanced knowledge and greatly assisted the
assessment process.
The EPA also commended the voluntary initiative to establish the Great Victoria Desert Trust.
The Trust would be used to facilitate biological research, especially into dune restoration and
rehabilitation.
“This has the potential to benefit the wider Great Victoria Desert region during and after the life
of the project,” Dr Vogel said
‘A direct offset to restore and rehabilitate degraded areas outside of the Project’s disturbance
area is also proposed by the Joint Venture. Areas to be rehabilitated would be agreed with
stakeholders and would total at least 100 hectares.’
EPA Report 1361 is available at www.epa.wa.gov.au. There is a two week public appeal period
on the report’s contents closing COB 19 July, 2010.
Timelines for assessment may vary according to the complexity of the project and are usually
agreed with proponents soon after the level of assessment is determined.
In this case, the EPA did not meet its agreed timeline of 10 weeks, taking 13 weeks. However,
the timeline includes the additional and recently introduced step of consultation with the
proponent and a key decision-making authority on the draft conditions which had a target
timeline of 2 weeks.
Information on all proposals currently under assessment by the EPA is available at
http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/template.asp?ID=34&area=EIA&Cat=Status+of+Active+Formal+Asses
sments
EPA Media contact: Charlie Maling, 6467 5415, 0400 866 450