On 24 May 2021 it was determined that the Proposal should be assessed at a Public Environmental Review level of assessment and, as a result, an Environmental Scoping Document (ESD) was to be submitted to the EPA for assessment. A draft ESD was prepared and submitted to DWER for assessment on 29 June 2021.
VRX has also sought consent from the EPA to amend the proposed development (s43A application) at Arrowsmith North during the assessment phase.
The amendment comprises the following:
• Relocation of the silica sand processing plant from the Access and Processing Development Envelope to within the Mine Development Envelope.
• Removal of the western access train loadout facilities.
• Removal of the solar farm area (which will be relocated once suitable land is accessed).
• A reduction in the extent of the Access and Processing Development Envelope from 447 hectares (ha) to 61 ha and renaming it the Access Development Envelope.
• An overall reduction in the extent of clearing from 412.2 ha to 366.5 ha. Restricting the project to use of the southern access route for trucking in the short term removes the complexities surrounding the western access option and reduces the project footprint. The southern route will also provide for development of a rail loadout facility in the future. Pursuant to section 43A of the EP Act, the EPA has given its consent to the amendment, which will enable the proposed action to continue to be assessed by accredited assessment by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE).
The determination has been updated on the EPA website: https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/arrowsmith-north-silica-sand-project
A draft ESD (Version A) for the Proposal was submitted to the EPA on 29 June 2021 for assessment and comments were provided by the EPA on 18 August 2021. VRX addressed the EPA’s comments and submitted an updated draft ESD (Version B) to the EPA on 22 September 2021.
During October 2021, the EPA’s guidance for the preparation of ESDs was amended and the Company was requested by DWER to amend and re-submit the draft ESD in line with the new guidance. Further comments were provided by the EPA on 7 December 2021. VRX prepared and submitted an amended draft on 13 December 2021.
Subsequent to 31 December 2021, additional comments by the EPA on the amended draft ESD were received, and 18 January 2022 these were addressed by the Company and the document re-submitted.
The ESD requires the approval of the EPA Board before the approval process proceeds.
A significant number of studies have already been completed: ✓ Desktop, recce and detailed flora and vegetation surveys ✓ Desktop, basic, detailed and targeted fauna surveys ✓ Short Range Endemic species desktop and field assessment ✓ Terrestrial Environmental Quality ✓ Dieback field and follow up assessment ✓ Surface Water Drainage assessment ✓ Groundwater Hydrology ✓ Acid Mine Drainage ✓ Social Surrounds and Archaeological and Ethnographic Heritage survey ✓ Cultural Values and Heritage assessment ✓ Greenhouse Gas Emissions estimation ✓ Air Quality assessment ✓ Permit for Construction of Water Bore
Key assessment milestones to be completed ❑ EPA approves ESD ❑ Mining Scope to DMIRS ❑ EPA publishes ESD ❑ Submission of draft ERD ❑ EPA accepts ERD and authorises release of ERD for 4 week public review (assumes no further revisions required) ❑ EPA provides summary of submissions to proponent ❑ Submit response to submissions to EPA ❑ EPA reviews response to submissions ❑ EPA accepts and publishes proponent’s response to submissions ❑ EPA finalises assessment report (including consultation on draft conditions) and sends recommendation to Minister ❑ Mining Proposal to DMIRS
There will be no further direction on any future survey requirements or timing until the ESD is approved by the EPA.
Also, during December 2021, the mining proposal for the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) was drafted with formal lodgement subject to the receipt of EPA approval for the ESD. An initial project scope document has been prepared and will be discussed with DMIRS prior to the lodgement of the proposal.
VRX Price at posting:
15.5¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
