The Proposal
The Bobadil tailings storage facility (TSF) is located approximately 1.7 km northwest of Rosebery. Bobadil TSF receives and stores tailings from MMG's Rosebery mine, which produces zinc, copper and lead concentrates and gold doré via underground mining and processing.
The proposal is to raise the embankment of the Bobadil TSF in two stages, Stage 11 and Stage 12, by 4 m, to a final crest elevation of RL 205 m, using 'upstream' construction techniques (meaning the embankment raise will occur within the existing TSF footprint). The existing emergency spillway will be developed to meet the increased height of the embankment. The proposal will not require significant disruption to ongoing TSF operations.
Construction material will be sourced from two existing borrow pits at the site which are within the existing MMG Mining Lease 28M/1993.
Approximately 200,000 m3 rock will be sourced from the northern borrow pit. This pit will need to be expanded to facilitate excavation of this volume. Approximately 1.48 ha of native vegetation is proposed to be removed in association with the pit expansion. The Natural Values Assessment submitted with the NoI indicates vegetation removal is proposed within an area containing potential habitat for listed threatened species.
Approximately 3,000 m3 clay will be sourced from the southern borrow pit via vertical excavation. No new vegetation clearance is proposed for the southern borrow pit.
Overburden from the clearance will be stockpiled for future closure and rehabilitation activities.
The proponent has lodged a Permit Application with a supporting Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to West Coast Council.
The application was referred to the Board of the Environment Protection Authority (the Board) for assessment under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA).
Notice of Intent
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - NOI (PDF 4Mb)
Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines
EIS Guidelines have been prepared by the Board to assist the proponent to prepare a case for assessment. Based on the information contained in the Notice of Intent, the guidelines identify the key issues which are expected to be relevant to the assessment of the proposal.
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - EIS Guidelines (PDF 372Kb)
Public Exhibition of Documentation
A copy of the permit application and all plans and other documentation submitted with the permit application (including the EIS) were made available for public inspection. The public consultation period has now closed.
Environmental Impact Statement
The purpose of the EIS is to provide a source of information upon which interested individuals, groups, government agencies and the Board may consider the environmental impacts of the proposal.
The EIS was prepared by the proponent on the basis of the Project Specific Guidelines for preparation of an EIS which were provided by the Board.
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - EIS (PDF 7Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix A (PDF 41Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix B (PDF 4Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix C (PDF 9Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix D (PDF 21Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix E (PDF 12Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix F (PDF 6Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix G (PDF 5Mb)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix H (PDF 11Mb)
Appendix I (Aboriginal Heritage - Confidential)
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stage 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - Appendix J (PDF 11Mb)
Environmental Assessment Report and EPA Decision
The environmental assessment report (EAR) has now been completed and can be viewed below. The report contains the permit conditions required by the Board to be included in the land use permit, if a permit is granted, by Council.
MMG Australia Limited, Bobadil Tailing Storage Facility Stages 11 and 12 Embankment Raise, Rosebery - EAR (PDF 3Mb)