Move to ease shortage of basic raw materials in State’s South West
| Date: | Monday, 19 June 2017 |
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The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for two limestone extraction sites in Western Australia’s South West region.
The 14ha and 8ha sites are within the State Forest pine plantations near Bagieau Road, midway between Mandurah and Bunbury, about 20km north-west of Harvey.
“A growing shortage of basic raw materials has been of concern to the Department of Mines and Petroleum for a number of years,” DMP Mineral Titles Executive Director Dr Ivor Roberts said.
“DMP is planning that new sources of limestone will be available from this process, providing a resource that is essential for building houses and roads and other infrastructure in Western Australia.”
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston will consider the EOI submissions before making a decision on inviting applications for mining leases through a special provision of the Mining Act 1978.
Dr Roberts said that although not scarce, basic raw materials are commonly located in areas where protection of native vegetation, existing developments and planning precincts curtailed or prevented extraction.
“DMP carried out surveys that in 2010 identified this remote area in Myalup State Forest 16 as a potential source of basic raw materials,” Dr Roberts said.
“Through this EOI process, DMP is confident that limestone quarries can be established that have minimal impact on the environment and the existing urban areas.”
All interested parties must attend a mandatory briefing at DMP’s head office located at Mineral House, 100 Plain Street in East Perth, at 10am on 4 July for their EOI to be considered.
For more information, please go to www.tenders.wa.gov.au and search for DMP050317.
If you have any difficulty locating the document, please contact Procurement Systems Support on 6551 2020.
