The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) in Australia has approved GWR Group’s mining proposal for the Wiluna West Iron Ore project (WWIOP).

The company also obtained a clearing permit for the project.

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GWR secured the approval for the iron ore operation of up to seven million tonnes per year over an initial mine life of ten years.

So far, the company has not planned any activities other than care and maintenance at the project, and expenditure exemptions under the mining act are currently in place.

"The approvals received are the product of a significant amount of work by the GWR team and its contractors over a period of nearly 11 years since drilling commenced."

In June 2005, GWR commenced drilling at Wiluna West and announced a maiden inferred resource in April 2007.

Further drilling and studies resulted in a mining proposal approval for a one million tonne per year operation for the JWD deposit in April 2012.

GWR Group CEO Craig Ferrier said: "The approvals received are the product of a significant amount of work by the GWR team and its contractors over a period of nearly 11 years since drilling commenced."

"While the conditions for the development of a new iron ore mine are challenging, the approvals now allow us to capitalise on positive movements in the iron ore price as well as advance discussions with potential joint venture partners or acquirers of the project."

The Environmental Protection Authority advised the company in April 2013 that the Wiluna West Iron Ore project was not subject to formal assessment under the environmental protection act.

Based on this, the company applied for the mining proposal and clearing permits for the project.