Diatreme Resources Limited has announced that it is making progress on the permitting and approvals pathway for its Northern Silica Project (NSP).
Diatreme reported that the Queensland Government has accepted the company’s application.
The company lodged its Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) referral with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), with the latter saying it approved a short public comment period prior to the final assessments and determinations.
The lodgement is a key milestone in the regulatory approval process, with a decision expected in June on a controlled action designation by the DCCEEW prior to the final determination.
According to the company, the Queensland Government agreed that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be appropriate for NSP as it enables the company to prepare an Initial Advice Statement about the project and obtain the Draft Terms of Reference for an EIS study.
Diatreme has also identified a range of controlled actions that could be triggered given the project’s location and sensitivities to development in the areas in which it proposes to operate.
Once the EIS processes are confirmed, the company will increase site investigations and studies to support the statement throughout the year.
Investigations will include flora and fauna surveys in both terrestrial and aquatic areas, groundwater monitoring, surface water quality monitoring, soil sampling and analysis, and cultural heritage surveys.
Diatreme will also conduct social impact assessment work on the project later in the year.
Diatreme CEO Neil McIntyre said the company welcomes the process and expects a decision on the EPBC referral documentation to be formalised in June as the company moves forward with the lodgement and validation processes.
“We aim to ensure our project is planned, developed and operated in a manner consistent with the highest possible environmental standards, reflecting our commitment to sustainable development that delivers genuine benefits to all stakeholders, including local communities,” McIntyre added.
