The Western Australian (WA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rejected plans by Mineral Resources subsidiary Polaris Metals to develop the Helena-Aurora iron ore project in the Yilgarn region of the state.
The WA EPA dismissed the Polaris Metals plan based on its decision to take a stand against mining in the Helena-Aurora region.
Mineral Resources boss Chris Ellison has appealed to the WA environment minister, Albert Jacob, to go against the EPA when he makes his final decision on the proposal after a two-week public consultation period.
Mineral Resources operates the 5mn t/yr Carina mine in the Yilgarn, but it last week warned that it may be forced to close operations if iron ore prices continue to slide. The Helena-Aurora project will only be economic to develop amid higher iron ore prices, but it is a growth option that the company is keen to retain.
joc/rjd
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