Overview

Overview

Background

WIM Resource Pty Ltd proposes to develop the Avonbank Mineral Sands project which has an approximate area of 2,500 hectares and is located approximately 15 kilometres northeast of Horsham.

The Avonbank deposit contains approximately 300 million tonnes of ore and is proposed to produce a heavy mineral concentrate containing zircon, rare earths and titanium minerals.

The proposal includes:

  • a mineral sands mine
  • wet concentrator plant
  • starter ore and overburden stockpiles
  • slurry pipelines
  • additional site facilities, such as site office, warehouse, workshop, rail loading facilities and fuel storage.

The proposed mining methods involve open-pit mining to extract approximately 9-15 million tonnes of ore per year over a projected mine life of 30 years to produce between 350,000 to 600,000 tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate per year.

Mine products are proposed to be transported via road for export overseas.

Process

Scoping requirements

The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the environment effects statement.

Draft scoping requirements for this EES were placed on exhibition in July-August 2020.

After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final scoping requirements in September 2020.

Final Scoping Requirements (PDF, 1.6 MB) or (DOCX, 5.5 MB)

Scoping Requirements Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF, 147.3 KB) or (DOCX, 105.5 KB)

Consultation plan

WIM Resource Pty Ltd has prepared a consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.

Consultation Plan (PDF, 857.5 KB)

The plan may be updated as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.

Technical reference group

The Department has convened an inter-agency Technical Reference Group (TRG) to advise the proponent and the Department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes.

The government organisations represented on the Technical Reference group are:

  • DTP - Impact Assessment
  • DEECA - Grampians (biodiversity)
  • DTP - Planning
  • First Peoples State Relations
  • Heritage Victoria
  • EPA Victoria
  • Department of Health
  • GWM Water
  • Wimmera Catchment Management Authority
  • Regional Roads Victoria
  • Earth Resources Regulation
  • Horsham Rural City Council

Technical Reference Group representatives are supported by internal experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.

Minister's decision

On 17 August 2019 the Minister for Planning required WIM Resource Pty Ltd to prepare an environment effects statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.

Minister's Reason for Decision (PDF, 340.7 KB) or (DOCX, 33.1 KB)

EES Procedures and Requirements (PDF, 631.4 KB)

The EES is being undertaken as an accredited process set out in the bilateral agreement under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It will have to assess the relevant matters of national environmental significance identified in the Commonwealth decision that the project is a 'controlled action' requesting approval under the EPBC Act.

More information

If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.

  • Proposed Avonbank Mineral Sands project queries:
    WIM Resource Pty Ltd
    ☎ Phone: (02) 8964 6268
    ✉ Email: admin@wimresource.com.au

Documents

All supporting documents can be found here.

Project documents