Rinehart’s Hancock weighs $3.3 billion iron ore mine project
Hancock acquired a 51% interest in the Mt Bevan project from Legacy Iron Ore Ltd. and Hawthorn Resources.
An underground coal mine proposed for near Margaret River in Western Australia has been rejected by the state’s environment minister.
Environment Minister Bill Marmion’s decision comes seven months after the Environmental Protection Agency ruled the mine, proposed by Vasse Coal Management Pty Ltd., would pose serious enviromental risks to two aquifers and surrounding areas.
Five appeals followed the EPA decision including one from Vasse Coal.
The company says on its website that the mine would produce around 1.2 million tonnes per annum of run of mine coal over a life of 15 to 20 years.
The minister is now required to “consult with relevant decision making authorities on whether or not the proposal may be implemented based on broader social and economic factors,” Australian Journal of Mining reported.
