Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has today announced the State Government will not allow an iron ore mining proposal in the Helena-Aurora Range Conservation Park to proceed.
The decision was made after careful consideration of the environmental, social and economic aspects of Mineral Resources Limited’s proposal to develop the Jackson 5 and Bungalbin East iron ore deposits in the range.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has twice found this proposal to be unacceptable on environmental grounds and last month the Minister agreed with the independent Appeals Convenor by dismissing all appeals against the EPA assessment.
The Environment Minister has since consulted with his ministerial colleagues to examine the social and economic benefits of the project. It has been concluded that the economic and social benefits of allowing the proposal do not outweigh the identified environmental impacts.
This decision has taken into account the pre-eminent environmental values of the Helena-Aurora Range, including the significance of the intact landforms and risks to threatened flora if the proposal was approved.
The State Government is now investigating options to create a class A reserve over the Helena-Aurora Range.