A parliamentary question regarding the Aurox Balla Balla iron ore project's potential environmental impact, infrastructure plans, and water usage, with responses from the Department of State Development and the Premier.

AnsweredQoN 1148Legislative Council
Asked
18 August 2009
Portfolio
State Development

QuestionView source ↗

In relation to the Aurox Balla Balla iron ore project located in the Pilbara between Karratha and Port Hedland, -
(1) Will any part of the project require disturbance of Sandy Island?
(2) If no to (1), will any part of the project require disturbance of De Puch Island?
(3) If no to (1) and (2), does the Minister know if Aurox intends to build any marine facilities adjacent to Balla Balla?
(4) Where are the conveyor and ship loading facilities required to service the project going to be built?
(5) Given Aurox has identified Port Hedland as the export port for the project, has the Minister been given any location by Aurox suitable to construct the ship loading facility at Port Hedland?
(6) If yes to (5), at what location?
(7) Is the Minister aware of the considerable amount of water required for this project to slurry the Magnetite to Port Hedland?
(8) If yes to (7), has Aurox identified where that water might be sourced from and the volumes that will be required?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
8 September 2009
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
21 days
Department of State Development advises:
(1-2) No.
(3) The Premier is not aware of any intentions by Aurox to build marine facilities adjacent to Balla Balla.
(4) It is understood that slurry will be piped to Utah Point, Port Hedland; de-watered, and stockpiled. The only conveyor is a component of the reclaim and shiploading system.
(5) Port Hedland Port Authority determines where facilities are constructed, in consultation with prospective users, consistent with its development plans. See answer to part (4).
(6) See answer to part (4).
(7) Yes.
(8) The project has approval to take 6 gigalitres of water per annum from a borefield 5 kilometres away. Aurox has offered to supply 5 gigalitres per annum of de-water to major users at the port, potentially replacing potable water presently used for activities such as dust suppression. This proposal is the subject of a current study.
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