The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended approval of the extension to Toro Energy's Wiluna Uranium Project.
Consent follows the earlier approval from the WA and federal governments to mine the Centipede and Lake Way deposits, in addition to establishing a processing plant at the Centipede mine site.
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It will expand the approvals to incorporate mining of the Millipede and Lake Maitland deposits, as well as construction of a haul road between Lake Maitland and the approved facility.
The EPA has presented its report to the WA Minister for Environment, which recommends approval of the project subject to conditions.
Toro Energy managing director Dr Vanessa Guthrie said: “Following completion of our mining agreement with the Wiluna People in July, this represents a further significant advance in our project planning.
“Toro initiated the environmental assessment of the extended project in early 2014, which has been undertaken by the EPA in a very comprehensive and rigorous manner.
“The assessment represents a further two and a half years of substantive scientific studies, including those key environmental factors identified by both government and through public submissions as being of importance to the community and environment.”
The assessment will enable Toro to engage with the public and government agencies to explain the way development of the Millipede and Lake Maitland deposits can be undertaken.
Toro’s 100%-owned Wiluna Uranium Project is 30km south-west of Wiluna in Central Western Australia and comprises six surficial carbonate related uranium deposits.
