Traditional owners are given their say on copper-nickel project
The team behind a proposed $1.1 billion mine near the WA-Northern Territory-South Australian border has met more than 40 people across the Goldfields to discuss the West Musgrave copper-nickel project. Last week OZ Minerals travelled to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Laverton and Leonora to meet Ngaanyatjarra people residing in the Goldfields to provide an opportunity for them to find out more information and raise any concerns.
The company said it had been working closely with the State Government and community stakeholders since 2016, with the traditional owners of the West Musgrave Project’s land an active part of the process.
OZ Minerals approvals manager Daniel Leinfelder said consultation with the Ngaanyatjarra people had been a core focus of the project that was in its final study phase.
“OZ Minerals’ priority has been on a consultation process that ensures the Ngaanyatjarra people are fully informed and have a clear understanding of the impacts and opportunities the proposed project would create,” he said. “The meetings held this week in the Goldfields are a demonstration of OZ Minerals’ commitment to a free, prior-informed consent consultation process and we look forward to continuing these as we move towards finalising the mining agreement.”
The project sits 100km east of Warburton, with a net-zero emissions target helping OZ Minerals win a tick from WA’s environmental regulator.
OZ lines up West Musgrave with EPA approval
OZ Minerals has received Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approval for its West Musgrave copper-nickel mines in Western Australia, as the company approaches a final investment decision. The project proposed to develop two deposits (Babel and Nebo) near the intersection of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, 1300 kilometres north-east of Perth.
The operation would have a mine life of 26 years as OZ Minerals seeks to produce about 26,000 tonnes per nickel and 32,000 tonnes of copper per year. In the company’s quarterly report for December 2021, managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Cole said the project was increasing in cost as OZ targeted a final investment decision.
“The project remains on track for a final investment decision in H2 2022, however, uncertainties also remain in relation to ongoing border restrictions, labour availability and the potential impact on project schedule and costs.”
The EPA recommended development of up to 20,852 hectares (ha) with no more than 3830ha of native vegetation cleared. The project is proposed to be powered by a range of renewable energy sources, as OZ Minerals attempts to operate the site with net-zero emissions by 2040.
From 2033, the project will not produce more than 75,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, with carbon neutrality projected for 2040.
CREDIT – Australian Mining
OZ Minerals initiative turns waste into wealth
OZ Minerals has launched a new initiative exploring ways to manage mining waste, with the goal to create increased value and reduce the industry’s overall footprint. As part of its Think & Act Differently incubator, OZ Minerals has partnered with Amira Global, Unearthed and the International Copper Association Australia to launch the Waste to Value Crowd Challenge.
This challenge will look at processes and practices to minimise the production of waste, while exploring a different line of thinking, unearthing what value may lie within waste that’s already been produced.
The Waste to Value Crowd Challenge is taking a unique approach, looking for ideas that could be unlocked or partially investigated through short experiments. Companies and individuals from around the world will be invited to propose an approach that reimagines mining and processing to minimise, eliminate and find value in waste. Those successful will then join the Think & Act Differently incubator and be supported in their next steps to develop a demonstration of their solution.
They will receive funding, mentoring, opportunities for collaboration, capability uplift and exposure to mining operations through the incubator. Through this challenge, opportunities await for future investments, including other mining companies eager to make their own mark in decarbonisation.
OZ Minerals eyes West Musgrave investment decision
OZ Minerals expects to make a final investment decision for the West Musgrave copper-nickel project in Western Australia during the second half of 2022. According to OZ Minerals managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Cole, the company is considering additional opportunities related to the project outside of the pre-feasibility study update from December.
This includes increasing production above the current rate of 12 million tonnes per annum and the possibility of a third vertical roller mill to enable energy management and emission reduction. The company is also looking at opportunities to adopt a zero emissions mine and mining fleet, including the construction of a renewable energy power plant. With the final study expected next year, Cole said COVID-19 restrictions have impacted progress on a land access agreement with Traditional Owners.
Cole said hard border closures causing labour shortages in Western Australia may also impact the final study.
“As we progress the final study phase, impacts on materials and labour availability in Western Australia, have the potential to put pressure on capital costs,” he said.
“We will take these impacts into consideration as we develop the project schedule and budget next year in preparation for a potential final investment decision in the second half of 2022.”
Credit: Australian Mining
