Process Minerals International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MinRes, today lodged a proposal with the WA Environmental Protection Authority outlining plans for an open-pit iron ore mine 130 kilometres northwest of Newman.
According to environmental documents, Lamb Creek would produce up to 10 million tonnes per annum over a three-to-five-year mine life.
Up to 650 hectares of native vegetation is required to be cleared to make way for the site, which sits within a wider 881-hectare development envelope.
The Lamb Creek proposal includes construction of a multi-stage crushing and screening process plant and associated mine infrastructure including offices, water pipelines, storage and equipment areas, power generation and village accommodation.
Construction would take approximately 12 months, according to the proposal.
The mine forms part of MinRes managing director Chris Ellison’s broader bid to increase exports through Port Hedland’s Utah Point berth to 14 million tonnes per annum.
The proposal has now been released for seven days of public consultation, after which time the EPA is expected to determine what level of environmental assessment, if any, is warranted.
Mineral Resources shares closed the day up 4.81 per cent to trade at $60.35.
