Super Pit expansion approved by acting environment minister
29 Jan 2009 8:44 PM
PERTH, Jan 29 AAP - Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Pty Ltd's expansion of the Super Pit gold mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, has been approved by the state's acting environment minister but must meet a new set of stringent environmental conditions.
The approval will allow the mine to be deepened to 600 metres and establish additional waste dumps with a capacity of 140 million tonnes of waste rock and the expansion of tailings storage facilities.
"These conditions require KCGM to address noise, air quality, waste disposal and vibration issues, as well as heritage and cultural values," acting WA Environment Minister John Day said.
Mr Day said the new conditions strengthened those proposed by the previous government and must be met before the expansion could begin.
"While this expansion is expected to provide significant benefits for the Western Australian economy, such as securing jobs for more than 1,000 people, these new conditions ensure this will not be at the expense of the environment and local community," Mr Day said.
An independent auditor will check on compliance with the new conditions for an initial period of 18 months.
The auditor will be funded by KCGM, which is an equal joint venture between Newmont Mining Corporation and Barrick Gold Corporation, the second and first largest gold miners in the world, respectively.
The Super Pit is immediately next to the Kalgoorlie township and residents have expressed concern that the expansion will bring the mine too close to homes, with noise and vibration affecting residences.
AAP rlm/jmc
