BHP wants to clear 16,257 hectares of vegetation for an open cut mine, associated mining infrastructure, an overland conveyor, accommodation villages and the construction and operation of a rail spur.

South Flank is needed to replace BHP’s Yandi operation, which is expected to be exhausted over the next five to 10 years.

The operation is about 100km northwest of Newman and adjacent to BHP’s Mining Area C operations.

BHP has already tweaked its plans somewhat. When it first proposed South Flank, the initial development disturbance envelope was 19,671ha. Last month it announced the cut to 16,275ha.

According to BHP documents, a key reason for that 17.35% reduction was to further mitigate potential impacts to the threatened Ghost Bat and other vulnerable species such as the northern quoll, the Pilbara leaf nosed bat, rainbow bee-eater, peregrine falcon and Pilbara flat-headed blind snake.

EPA chairman Dr Tom Hatton said the proposal had been assessed against the rate and scale of development of the Pilbara and the environmental values in the region.

“We found the Southern Flank proposal could proceed if certain conditions are met,” he said.

“The authority has recommended conditions that would require implementing measures to maintain the local Ghost Bat population; ensuring water management associated with the proposal does not impact on the environmental values of Weeli Wolli Spring and Condewanna Flats; a requirement to report on greenhouse gas emissions; and the continued implementation of a cultural heritage management plan to minimise impacts to sites of Aboriginal significance.”

The Pilbara Environmental Offset Fund is being set up by the WA government.

Another of the recommended conditions is that BHP makes a contribution to the fund for the residual impacts on Ghost Bat habitat and the clearing of native vegetation.

The EPA’s report to WA Environment Minister Stephen Dawson is open for a two-week appeal period, closing on December 22.

Dawson will get the final say on the environmental approval.

South Flank is expected to cost US$2-3 billion with the proposal to be submitted for board approval in the middle of next year for first ore in 2021.

In June, BHP approved $184 million in initial funding for early works on the project.