Environmental Approvals
Preston Consulting provides a broad range of services, however a key reason for our excellent reputation is due to our demonstrated ability in delivering environmental approvals. Environmental approvals have formed a key part of our business since its inception, and our personnel have worked in this field for many years, through government, industry and consulting.
Our experience in environmental and planning approvals extends across numerous industries and scales, from small-scale projects such as microbreweries through to major integrated port, mine and rail projects.
The volume and success of environmental approval processes managed by Preston Consulting has resulted in us becoming one of the prominent consultancies in this field in WA. We have regularly been recommended to other clients by industry and government due to the high quality of our documentation and close positive relationships with the regulators.
The information below provides a summary of the environmental approvals that our personnel have directly managed, written, reviewed or significantly contributed to.
Preston Consulting assisted API Management in the preparation of two PER Documents for the original Anketell Port and West Pilbara Iron Ore Project railway and mine. In 2015/16 we were engaged by Aurizon to scope and manage studies, and develop a S45C document for changes to the Anketell Port design and an API document for an alternative rail corridor. We also provided input to API Management for their S45C and S46 applications to separate the mine and rail components of the original Ministerial Statement.
Pilbara Iron Ore Project – Flinders Mines
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, developed an API document and managed the approval process for Stage 2 of the Project, which included additional mining areas, tailings, processing, airport, access roads, camps etc.
Balla Balla Infrastructure (BBI) Port – BBI Group (formally Rutila Resources)
Preston Consulting managed the studies, developed an API Document and managed the approval process for the BBI Port (new port between Port Hedland and Karratha). We also developed and managed the approval process for a S45C document for changes to the BBI Port design.
BBI Railway and Conveyor – BBI Group
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, developed an API Document and managed the approval process for the BBI Railway, a 160 km railway and 40 km conveyor linking the BBI Port with the Flinders Mines’ Pilbara Iron Ore Project
BBI Mine – BBI Group
Preston Consulting developed a Section 46 application and managed the approval process to change the conditions of the Ministerial Statement
Cape Preston East Export Facilities – Iron Ore Holdings
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, developed an API Document and managed the approval process for a new port just east of the Sino Iron Project port at Cape Preston
Extension Mining Project – Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, developed an API Document and managed the approval process for a greenfields iron ore mining project in the Pilbara
Oakajee Port & Rail Project – Oakajee Port & Rail
Preston Consulting prepared a PER document for a new 400 km railway in the Mid-West connecting Jack Hills Mine with the Oakajee Port. We also contributed to and reviewed the PER document for the Oakajee Port Landside areas
Roy Hill Project Port – Samsung C&T
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, and developed a S45c application to include a wastewater outfall and associated mixing zones at the Roy Hill Berth at Port Hedland
Koolan Island Project – Mt Gibson Mining
Preston Consulting prepared a S45C Document for an amendment of clearing boundaries and key characteristics table in the Ministerial Statement
North Star Magnetite Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed, contributed to and reviewed the PER Document for the project
Sino Iron Expansion Project – CITIC Pacific Mining
Preston Consulting personnel contributed to the PER Document for future expansions of the Sino Iron Project
Manjimup Biomass Power Station – WA Biomass
Preston Consulting personnel contributed to the PER Document for a new biomass power station
Preston Consulting assisted API Management in the preparation of two EPBC Referrals and bilateral assessment PER Documents for the original Anketell Port and West Pilbara Iron Ore Project railway and mine. In 2015/16 we were engaged by Aurizon to scope and manage studies, and develop an EPBC Act bilateral assessment document for an alternative rail corridor, as well as an EPBC Referral for the original rail corridor. We also provided input to API Management for their EPBC approval strategy to separate the mine and rail components of the original approval
Pilbara Iron Ore Project – Flinders Mines
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, prepared an EPBC Referral and managed the EPBC Act approval process (controlled action) for Stage 2 of the project, which included additional mining areas, tailings, processing, airport, access roads, camps etc.
Balla Balla Infrastructure (BBI) Port – BBI Group
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, prepared an EPBC Referral and managed the EPBC Act approval process (not a controlled action) for the the Balla Balla Infrastructure (BBI) Port (new port between Port Hedland and Karratha), EPBC Referral and assessment for the BBI Railway, a 200 km railway linking the BBI Port with the Pilbara Iron Ore Project
BBI Railway and Conveyor Project – BBI Group
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, prepared an EPBC Referral and managed the EPBC Act approval process (controlled action) for the BBI Railway and Conveyor Project, a 160 km railway and 40 km conveyor linking the BBI Port with Flinders Mines’ Pilbara Iron Ore Project
Cape Preston East Export Facilities – Iron Ore Holdings
Preston Consulting scoped and managed the studies, prepared an EPBC Referral and managed the EPBC Act approval process (not a controlled action) for for a new port adjacent to the Sino Iron Project port at Cape Preston
Oakajee Rail Project – Oakajee Port & Rail
Preston Consulting provided input to the EPBC approval process for the Oakajee Rail Project, a new 400 km railway in the Mid-West connecting Jack Hills Mine with the Oakajee Port
North Star Magnetite Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed, provided input to and reviewed the EPBC Referral and approval process for the project
Oakajee Port Landside Project – Oakajee Port & Rail
Preston Consulting provided input to the EPBC Referral and approval process for the landside portion of the Oakajee Port
Preston Consulting developed and managed the approval process for an Environmental Impact Statement for an underground expansion of this existing gold mine in the Northern Territory
Prior to joining Preston Consulting, Gavin Edwards (Associate) spent almost three years in the Licensing Branch of the Department of Environment Regulation. Tasks included the assessment of numerous Works Approval, Licence and Registration applications, including the following industries:
• Quarries
• Brick and concrete manufacturers
• Landfills
• Power stations
• Sewage and waste treatment plants
• Food and milk processors
• Laminate wood manufacturers
• Breweries and wineries
• Animal feedlots
• Mining
• Rendering operations
• Powdercoaters
Solomon Project – FMG
Preston Consulting was engaged to obtain all Works Approval, Licence and Registration applications for the Solomon Project, including:
• Two ore processing facilities
• Tailings storage facility
• Power station
• Landfill
• Bulk fuel storage facility
• Several wastewater treatment plants
• Several mobile crushing plants
Cape Preston East Export Facilities – Iron Ore Holdings
Preston Consulting was engaged to obtain all Works Approval and Licence applications for the Cape Preston East Export Facilities, including applications for the following facilities:
• Ship loading facility
• Bulk fuel storage facility
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Mobile crushing plants
Sino Iron Project – CITIC Pacific Mining
Preston Consulting personnel developed Works Approval and Licence applications, and managed the approval processes for the following facilities:
• Desalination plant
• Primary crushing facility
• Ore concentrator
• Ship loading facility
• Tailings storage facility
• 480 MW Power station
• Landfill
• Bulk fuel storage facility
• Several wastewater treatment plants
• Several mobile crushing plants
White Lakes Brewing – T&J.J Nominees
Preston Consulting developed Works Approval and Licence applications and managed the approval process for a 1ML/yr microbrewery in Baldivis, WA
Roy Hill Project – Samsung C&T
Preston Consulting developed Works Approval and Licence / Registration applications and amendments for the Roy Hill ship loading facility, and several wastewater treatment plants and mobile crushing plants
Beyondie Potash Project – Kalium Lakes Potash
Preston Consulting developed Works Approval and Licence applications and managed the approval process for a trial extraction programme
Breakaway Mining Project – Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation
Preston Consulting developed a Works Approval application and managed the approval process for a mobile crushing plant used in construction
Extension Mining Project – Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation
Preston Consulting developed a Works Approval application and managed the approval process for a mobile crushing plant used in construction
Nammuldi Below Water Table Project – Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Preston Consulting developed Works Approval applications and managed the approval processes for a wastewater treatment plant, crushing and screening plant and a landfill
Concrete Batching Plants – Mobile Concreting Solutions
Preston Consulting developed Works Approval applications and managed the approval processes for three new concrete batching plants
Northstar Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed the Works Approval applications for a wastewater treatment plant, power station and ore processing facility
Preston Consulting took over the management and preparation of the Mining Proposal application and MCP for this lithium project in the Pilbara
Solomon Project – FMG
Preston Consulting was engaged to obtain Mining Act 1978 approval for the initial construction of the Solomon Project. Six separate Mining Proposal applications were developed to obtain approval for each construction stage. We also prepared the project MCP (the first major MCP approved in WA) and five MCP revisions, to align with each new Mining Proposal
Breakaway Mining Project – Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation
Preston Consulting prepared a Mining Proposal application for a bulk sample and managed the DMP approval process
Koolan Island Project – Mt Gibson Mining
Preston Consulting prepared a Mining Proposal application for the optimisation of waste rock placement and managed the DMP approval process
Nyidinghu Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed and reviewed the Mining Proposal application and MCP for this large iron ore mine in the Pilbara
Project Io – FMG
Preston Consulting managed and reviewed the Mining Proposal application and MCP for this small iron ore project in the Pilbara
Northstar Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed and reviewed the mine site Mining Proposal application and MCP, as well as the Mining Proposal for access roads and pipelines, and the Mining Proposal for concentrate handling facility, access roads and pipelines
Clampton Gold Project – Clampton Gold
Preston Consulting provided expert advice and contributed to the Clampton Gold Project Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan
Preston Consulting prepared and managed the approval process for two Clearing Permits for geotechnical investigations; one along a proposed railway route and the other within the proposed BBI Port boundaries
West Pilbara Infrastructure Project – Aurizon
Preston Consulting prepared and managed the approval process for a rail geotechnical investigations program
Newman to Roy Hill Transmission Line – Alinta
Preston Consulting prepared and managed the approval process for two Clearing Permits; one for geotechnical investigations and the other for construction of the transmission line
Northstar Project – FMG
Preston Consulting prepared and managed the approval process for several Clearing Permits for mine and export infrastructure at Port Hedland
Preston Consulting was engaged to obtain Department of Health approval for numerous sewage treatment plants and holding tanks around the Solomon Project, a significant iron ore mine in the Pilbara
White Lakes Brewing – T & J.J Nominees
Preston Consulting were engaged to provide advice on the disposal of brewery wastewater and compliance with Department of Health requirements. We prepared an application for a treatment plant for the microbrewery wastewater and obtained approval from the City of Rockingham and the Department of Health
Sino Iron Project – CITIC Pacific Mining
Preston Consulting personnel contributed to applications for numerous sewage treatment plants and holding tanks across the Sino Iron Project, a significant magnetite mine and port in the Pilbara
Nammuldi Below Water Table Project – Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Preston Consulting personnel prepared an application for sewage holding tanks
Northstar Project – FMG
Applications for numerous sewage treatment plants and holding tanks
Preston Consulting prepared two applications; one for the port landside and the other for the marine geotechnical investigations programs, and managed the approval process with DMP
Solomon Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed the numerous applications that were required for the exploration program and early works
Beyondie Potash Project – Kalium Lakes Potash
Preston Consulting prepared an application for the trial program and managed the approval process with DMP
Extension Project – Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation
Preston Consulting prepared an application for the exploration program and managed the approval process
Breakaway Project – Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation
Preston Consulting prepared an application for the exploration program and managed the approval process
Northstar Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed numerous applications for the exploration program
Project Io – FMG
Preston Consulting managed applications for the exploration program
Nyidinghu Project – FMG
Preston Consulting managed applications for the exploration program
Preston Consulting prepared a 26D application and Beds and Banks Permit and managed the approval process to allow BBI Group’s railway groundwater investigations program
West Pilbara Infrastructure Project – Aurizon
Preston Consulting prepared a 26D application and Beds and Banks Permit and managed the approval process to allow Aurizon’s railway groundwater investigations program
Newman to Roy Hill Transmission Line – Alinta
Preston Consulting prepared a 26D application and managed the approval process to allow Alinta’s groundwater investigations and pump testing
Roy Hill Project – Samsung C&T
Preston Consulting contributed to a 5C application to allow changes to groundwater abstraction