Cloncurry Copper Project
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Cloncurry Copper Project has been prepared for Exco Resources Limited (Exco) by AustralAsian Resource Consultants (AARC). The project includes the development of two open cut mining operations at Mount Margaret (located approximately 39km northeast of Cloncurry) and Monakoff (located approximately 20km northeast of Cloncurry). Ore will be mined at a rate of up to 3 million tonnes a year and the project is expected to operate for at least 10 years.
The EIS assesses three processing options for the mined ore:
- Option 1: a 3 million tonne a year concentrating process plant located on the Mount Margaret project area which would produce copper-gold concentrate;
- Option 2: a 3 million tonne a year concentrating process plant located on the Mount Margaret project area which would produce copper-gold concentrate and a magnetite concentrate; and
- Option 3: hauling of ore off the project site and delivery to the nearby Ernest Henry Mine (owned by Xstrata plc) concentrator for processing. Under this operation, no processing of ore would occur on the project site.
The infrastructure and transport requirements for the three options include:
- Options 1 and 2: ore from the Monakoff project area would be trucked to the stockpile area at Mount Margaret via an 18km haul road connecting the two project areas. Concentrate would be hauled from Mount Margaret to a storage facility and rail yard in the Cloncurry area where it will be transported by rail to the Port of Townsville for export through existing infrastructure. The tailings produced from the concentrator plant would be stored in dedicated dams on the project site. A water pipeline would be required to connect the site with the existing supply line from Lake Julius to the Ernest Henry Mine Site. A power line would connect the site with existing transmission infrastructure servicing the Ernest Henry Mine Site. A camp to house construction and operations staff would be constructed adjacent to Zingari Road.
- Option 3: there would be no processing of ore on the project site and therefore no tailings storage. Electricity would be produced from diesel generators. Water for this option would be primarily supplied from mine dewatering. Haul roads from the Mount Margaret and Monakoff Project area to Ernest Henry Mine would be required to transport the mined ore. An agreement would be in place for the Ernest Henry Mine to process the concentrate through their existing approved infrastructure. Concentrate would be transported to Mt Isa or to Townsville for export.
The existing project tenures include Exploration Permit Mining (EPM) 8609, Mining Lease (ML) 90157, EPM 7085, EPM 14201 and ML 7122. A number of new mining lease applications would be required.
The final terms of reference (TOR) was issued to the proponent on 16 December 2008.
The EIS for the Cloncurry Copper Pipeline project is currently available for review. Any interested persons are invited to view the document and provide a submission on the adequacy of the EIS in identifying, describing and mitigating any environmental impacts. The EIS can be inspected at the locations listed below.
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It is also available at the following web site: http://www.excoresources.com.au/queensland.html. A hard copy or CD can be obtained by contacting AARC on (07) 3217 8772 or write to: AustralAsian Resource Consultants, Suite 5B, 1 Swann Road, Taringa QLD 4068.
Submissions should be received by Monday 14 December 2009 and should be addressed to:
The Chief Executive, Department of Environment and Resource Management
Attn: EIS Coordinator, Cloncurry Copper Project
PO Box 15155
CITY EAST QLD 4002
The process for the assessment of the Cloncurry Copper Project is as follows:
Copies of publicly available documents can be obtained by accessing the links below:
- Final terms of reference (PDF, 371K)*
- Initial advice statement describing the project (PDF, 5.0M)*
- Public notice (s46 EP Act) (PDF, 25K)*
- Public notice (s51 and 52 EP Act) (PDF, 86K)*
For further information about the EIS process for the Cloncurry Copper Project please contact the EIS Co-ordinator on telephone1300 130 372.
Additional information about the project is also available by contacting AARC on (07) 3217 8772.
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 19 December 2008