Shree Minerals Limited (ASX:SHH) has lodged a supplement to the development proposal and environment management plan (DPEMP) with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for the Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) project at Nelson Bay River Iron Project in Tasmania, advancing its re-permitting strategy.at the project.
The company, in conjunction with its technical consultants, has completed this supplement which is a comprehensive and detailed report to respond to the request for additional information (RFI) regarding flora and fauna.
Notably, this enables the assessment process to be completed over the coming months to facilitate a decision for grant of the permit.
With the improvement in the iron ore price, Shree’s strategy is to restart the production of the DSO resources from the existing open pit at the NBR.
Supplement summary
RFI was issued by the EPA, following the advertisement of the DPEMP for public consultation in December 2021 by the circular head council and EPA Tasmania, which closed in early February 2022.
The EPA notified Shree that during the period for public consultation on this proposal, one representation was received and comments on the project were also received from several state government agencies and bodies.
The environmental authority had also advised that having considered the comments raised by the public representation and agency submissions, Shree should refer the current development proposal to the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) for determination under the EPBC Act in relation to the Giant Freshwater Crayfish (A.gouldi).
In mid-April the company made a detailed submission to DAWE in this regard.
Shree looks forward to advice on the assessment/approval decision process regarding A.gouldi.
Looking ahead, the company hopes to be in a position to consider a formal decision for recommencement of the mine once the permit is granted.
Re-permitting strategy
With the improvement in the iron ore price, the company has been actively working to re-permit the Nelson Bay River Iron Project.
The strategy has been to recommence the production of the DSO resources from the existing open pit at NBR.
To resolve legal issues with the existing permit, in August 2018, the company applied for a new Tasmanian environmental permit covering the DSO operations.
After public consultation, the EPA issued guidelines for the preparation of a DPEMP.
Working towards adopting this framework, the company has completed the requisite technical studies to develop the DPEMP.
About Nelson Bay
The Nelson Bay River Iron Project (NBR) is situated in the far north-west of Tasmania and is approximately 150 kilometres from the Burnie Port.
The current resource at NBR covers approximately 1 kilometre in strike length of goethite-hematite mineralisation including about 400 metres of magnetite.
The DSO project at NBR is an all-contract mining, processing and haulage operation using local contractors in the region.
It requires no major processing beyond crushing and screening, after which the ore is then trucked to the port and shipped.
NBR project was placed on care and maintenance in June 2014 following sharp iron ore price falls.