Rey Resources faces objections to mining lease in Mining Warden’s Court

In an unusual move, the Mining Warden’s Court has agreed to hear objections to the grant of a mining lease for the controversial Duchess Paradise proposed thermal coal project near Derby. This matter is listed in the Mining Warden’s Court in Perth on Tuesday 31 January. The Wilderness Society has today issued an alert to investors to notify them of the significant emerging risks to this project operated by Rey Resources Ltd.

Nykina Traditional Owner Dr Poelina says - “It is highly unusual for the WA Mining Warden’s Court to hear these kinds of objections. The failure of Rey Resources to readily secure a mining lease is a serious blow to the viability of the project.

“I am objecting to the grant of the mining lease on the basis that there is insufficient information to
determine the environmental risks of a thermal coal mine at that site. I am also deeply concerned that the mine will have significant negative effects on the water, environment, people and emerging sustainable industries of the Fitzroy River region.”

The Wilderness Society has today alerted investors to the lack of a secure mining lease plus other
significant risks that create significant hurdles for the project .

Heidi Nore of the Wilderness Society says “Rey’s investors should expect some serious difficulty in
succeeding with this project. They have no mining lease in place, they are subject to a lengthy
environmental approvals process and they are facing strong community opposition to new coal mines.

“This proposed coal project is in the Fitzroy River catchment area and appears very likely to pollute the groundwater at the nearby National Heritage listed site.Consequently, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has determined that the proposal must be subjected to a Public Environmental Review, which is one of the lengthiest types of assessment.

The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water and Communities (SEWPaC) has determined that this proposal is a controlled action, meaning that it must also meet federal environment minister approval.

“The EPA made some significant decisions last year rejecting coal proposals at both Eneabba and Margaret River due to the detrimental effect on ground water. We are calling on the EPA to assess this Fitzroy River project with the same rigour.”

The matter is listed at the Perth Mining Warden’s Court at Central Law courts, 501 Hay Street, Perth as the matter of Blackfin Pty Ltd v Poelina

A copy of the Investor Alert can be downloaded here.

For further comment contact:
Anne Poelina – Nykina Traditional Owner: 040 89 22 155
Heidi Nore – The Wilderness Society WA: 040 44 78 779

Yesterday’s announcement by Woodside that it would not be able to meet a 2012 deadline for a final investment decision on the LNG hub James Price Point was another indication that the private sector is having serious reservations about the financial viability of the project.

Yet the WA government remains committed to spend $120 million of taxpayers’ money on building an all weather access highway to the proposed site - even though Woodside itself is not prepared to put its own money on the line. Construction of the highway is scheduled to commence early 2012.

Wilderness Society WA Kimberley Campaigner Heidi Nore said, “WA Resources Minister Norman Moore confirmed in Parliament last month that West Australian tax payers will fund a $120 million access highway to James Price Point regardless of whether or not Woodside or anyone else reaches a final investment decision.

“The Minister stated:

‘the State’s decision to commence works is not reliant upon any individual company making a final investment decision.’

“Given Woodside’s latest announcement and the clear doubts over this project it would be reckless and irresponsible of the WA government to potentially waste so much public money on this highway to nowhere.

“Why should the public subsidise Woodside’s LNG project – especially when Woodside itself is not prepared to put its own money on the line?

“In 2 or 3 years time we could have a top quality super-highway out to a beautiful spot – but no resource companies wanting to use the road or build at James Price Point.

“While James Price Point and the adjacent Lurujarri Song Line are well worth a visit, $120 million dollars of tax payers’ money could certainly be better spent elsewhere”.

Further comment:
Heidi Nore - 040 447 8779
Peter Robertson - 0409 089 020
Media Adviser: Alex Tibbitts - 0416 420 168

The protection of the Kimberley environment is shaping up to be the most important issue in the forthcoming Broome local government election.

Broome locals expect that the turnout for the council election could be bigger than previous years. The Wilderness Society is contacting its 400 members in Broome and encouraging them to make their own assessment of the election candidates and to ‘vote for the environment’ in the local government election to be held on 15 October.

Wilderness Society WA Coordinator Peter Robertson said, "Broome and the wider Kimberley region are facing an unprecedented number of environmental threats right now and the biggest and most immediate threat is the proposed gas hub at James Price Point."

“The Broome Shire elections represent an important opportunity for community members to voice their concerns about the environmental and social impacts of proposed industrialisation. “Environment groups have assessed the candidates on the key issue of the gas hub.

There are eight candidates vying for four positions in the Broome ward. Three councillors Robert Lander, Graeme Campbell and Chris Mitchell are returning for re-election.

Four candidates, Kandy Curran, Chris Maher, Anne Poelina and Mark Manado, are running under the ‘Nowhere Else but Here’. First time candidate Stuart Gallus is running independently.

“Aside from their public election profiles, and media coverage of their views, local environment groups also polled all the candidates on the gas hub and other issues. Four candidates have so far not responded to the questionnaire.”

The Wilderness Society has released the following assessment for each of the candidates based on their positions on Kimberley environmental issues.

Profiles of each of the candidates can be viewed here.

For further comment contact:
Peter Robertson – WA State Coordinator: 08 9420 7255/0409 089 020
Peter Cooper – Kimberley Campaigner: 02 9282 9553

For more info contact:the Wilderness Society Media Adviser, Alex Tibbitts on 0416 420 168