KCGM has applied to the Minister for the Environment for an Approval pursuant to noise regulation 17 to enable it to vary its noise levels from the prescribed standard in the noise regulations, which has been triggered by the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Fimiston Gold Mine Operations Extension (Stage 3) and Mine Closure Planning. In accordance with noise regulation 17, the Minister has referred the application for variation to the EPA for assessment.
The basis of the application is that, while KCGM is committed to operating the existing Fimiston Open Pit Operations and Fimiston Operations Extension using best technologies and procedures in terms of noise emissions, it cannot reasonably and practicably comply with the prescribed standard in the noise regulations, principally as a consequence of the effect of meteorological conditions on sound propagation.
Following the release of the EPA’s initial advice and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment, Bulletin 1271, the Minister for the Environment directed the EPA to re-assess the proposal more fully by the final preparation of the report not being delegated to the Chairman. See the reassessment of the proposal here.
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