Doral’s Yalyalup mineral sands project near Busselton gets EPA tick

Japanese-owned mineral sands producer Doral has been given a conditional environmental nod to develop the Yalyalup project about 11km south-east of Busselton. The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of the mine subject to conditions that will protect habitat of the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. Doral has agreed not to clear threatened and significant areas on the site during the environmental impact assessment process. The Yalyalup project involves the development of mine pits, solar evaporation ponds, a wet concentration processing plant and water management infrastructure on 453ha of predominantly cleared agricultural land 6km north-east of the company’s existing Yoongarillup mine. EPA deputy chairwoman Lee McIntosh said the proponent would also be required to prepare management plans to demonstrate how it would manage potential operational impacts such as groundwater drawdown. The EPA has also recommended the proponent prepare an Abba River Management Strategy in consultation with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. Doral will stockpile wet zircon, ilmenite, leucoxene and rutile concentrate at the site prior to its products being transported to the company’s Picton Dry Separation Plant, about 60km north-east of the mine, for separation using electrostatic processes before being trucked to either Bunbury or Fremantle for export. The EPA’s report is open for a two-week public appeal period, closing February 1. WA Environment Minister Stephen Dawson will make a final decision on the proposal.