A reminder that the Tenindewa plant was not assessed under EPA Act Part IV (Enviro Impact) because the location was cleared grazing farmland and could be dealt with under other mechanisms.
Those mechanisms being:
- DWER Part V Div 3 - Works Approval and Licence
- DWER Part V Div 2 - Clearing of Native Vegetation
- DWER Regs - 5c groundwater licence to take water
The EPA did review all the supporting documentation and technical data provided by AVL (and enviro consultant) and found "
The EPA considers that the likely environmental effects of the proposal are not so significant as to warrant formal assessment. The EPA is of the view that the potential impacts of the proposal can be adequately managed through the implementation of the proposal in accordance with the referral documentation, and the proponent's management and mitigation measures."
Their decision was appealable, but it never was. I don't know about you, but I read this now as AVL having a clear path commencing construction at Tenindewa once WAPC and Geraldton Shire do their bit.
Tenindewa Vanadium Processing Facility | EPA Western Australia
Now that we know Tenindewa is happening, does this mean the TMT G'binitha EPA application is going to be scrapped (at AVLs request) and the AVL Mine EPA application be the primary again?
Australian Vanadium Project – Mining and Beneficiation Operations | EPA Western Australia
(20min delay)