Cloncurry copper project
The proponent for the Cloncurry Copper Project is Exco Resources Limited (Exco). The project would involve the development of two open cut mining operations at Mount Margaret (located approximately 39km northeast of Cloncurry) and Monakoff (located approximately 20km northeast of Cloncurry). Ore would be mined at a rate of up to 3 million tonnes a year and the project is expected to operate for at least 10 years.
The EIS assessed a range of ore processing and transport options and the outcomes of the assessment are discussed in the EIS assessment report (see link below).
The existing project tenures include Exploration Permit Mining (EPM) 8609, Mining Lease (ML) 90157, EPM 7085, EPM 14201 and ML 7122. A number of new mining lease applications would be required.
Exco determined that the project would be unlikely to impact on matters of National Environmental Significance as described in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and therefore did not refer the project to the former Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (now Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities). Consequently, the Queensland EIS process was not accredited for the assessment of the project under Part 8 of the EPBC Act.
The process for the assessment of the Cloncurry Copper Project is as follows:
- Submission of draft TOR
- Public notification of draft TOR
- Final TOR issued—EIS in preparation
- Public notification of EIS
- Proponent responds to submissions
- EIS assessment report
The EIS assessment report has been issued to Exco and the EIS process is now completed.
Publicly available documents:
- Final terms of reference (see availability)
- Initial advice statement describing the project (see availability)
- EIS assessment report
For further information about the EIS process for the Cloncurry Copper Project please contact us.
Available from the library catalogue
The documents referred to on this page are available from the department’s online library catalogue.