The proposal is to expand an existing salt mining operation by constructing a new primary concentration pond (which would lie outside the existing mining leases) and additional brine, bitterns and crystallization ponds within the existing leases.
The current operation is located on coastal flats near Port Hedland with the primary concentration ponds 30 km to the east and the brine ponds 10 km to the east connected by an aqueduct. Once the brine is fully saturated it is pumped to crystallisation ponds at the main plant, which is on the outskirts of Port Hedland, for harvesting and trucking to the port for shipment.
The current mining operation is regulated by the Leslie Solar Salt Industry Agreement Act which was declared in July 1966, and, under that Act, is regulated by the Mining Act. The present lease expires in 1997, after which two renewals of 21 and 11 years can be negotiated.
