EPA scrutinising Bellevue gold project – Kalgoorlie Miner
The Environmental Protection Authority has received five public comments on the proposed $252 million Bellevue gold project 40km north of Leinster following a seven-day submission period this month.
An EPA spokesperson said the Bellevue gold project was referred to the authority in December.
The spokesperson said the public comment period closed on March 9, with five submissions received during the seven-day submission period.
“The EPA will now consider submissions and make a determination on whether or not to assess the proposal, and if so, the level of assessment,” the spokesperson said.
“In deciding the level of assessment, the EPA considers information such as, but not limited to: the proposal, potential impacts, proposed management, and the number and complexity of key environmental factors.
“The proposal is for the recommencement of operations at the Bellevue Gold Project and involves extensions to existing mines and excavation of new open pits, associated mine dewatering, onsite processing and waste disposal.”
According to Bellevue Gold, the proposed mine would require a disturbance of 363.2 hectares, and would have a life of eight years.
Bellevue Gold said production was forecast to start in mid-2023, and the mine would employ up to 380 workers during construction and 265 employees on a steady-state basis.
“When operational the Bellevue gold mine is forecast to be one of the highest-grade, lowest cost mines in Australia, with the first five years producing an average of more than 200,000 ounces per year at an all-in sustaining cost of $992 per ounce,” the company said on its website.
“The company is fully funded into production with a $200m underwritten and credit-approved loan secured to fund construction and development activities.”
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