Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines’ (KCGM) revised proposal to expand operations at the Fimiston Gold Mine, including updates to mine closure planning under the Fimiston South Project.
The EPA’s report and recommendations have been released, marking the end of the appeals period and paving the way for the publication of a ministerial statement.
The proposal, formally titled Fimiston Gold Mine Operations Extension (Stage 3) and Mine Closure Planning: Revised Proposal – Fimiston South Project, seeks to extend the operational life of the landmark Super Pit in Kalgoorlie-Boulder by up to 12 years, through to 2034.
Located about 600 kilometres east of Perth, the open pit mine and surrounding facilities are among the most significant gold operations in Australia, jointly operated under KCGM.
Under the revised expansion, KCGM is proposing to widen and deepen the iconic Super Pit through the Ivanhoe Cutback, alongside several key associated developments designed to support the continuation of gold production and responsible mine closure planning.
The project would see the expansion of the existing Fimiston II Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), construction of a new Fimiston III TSF, extension of waste rock landforms, creation of new topsoil stockpiles, and relocation and modification of the Environmental Noise Bund.
To accommodate these changes, KCGM has requested to increase the overall development envelope from the currently approved 5,914 hectares to 7,795 hectares.
The revision involves clearing up to 1,868 hectares, including 1,580 hectares of native vegetation in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
This significant amendment to the existing operations is assessed under section 38 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, following the earlier Stage 2 approval under Ministerial Statement 782.
KCGM has emphasised that the project’s design incorporates long-term environmental management and closure strategies that aim to balance continued economic output with rehabilitation commitments.
The updated closure plan focuses on progressive rehabilitation, enhanced waste management, and noise mitigation measures to reduce impacts on the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community.
The EPA’s evaluation considered the cumulative impacts of the proposed expansions, including effects on native vegetation, fauna habitat, soil and water resources, and potential dust and noise emissions.
The agency’s report concluded that the proposal can proceed under strict environmental conditions designed to ensure appropriate monitoring, impact mitigation, and progressive rehabilitation.
With the EPA’s report and recommendations now finalised, and the appeals process closed, the Minister for Environment has issued the final Ministerial Statement authorising the proposal.
This marks a major regulatory milestone for one of Western Australia’s most iconic mining operations as it prepares for another decade of production.
The Fimiston South Project represents a critical step in sustaining gold output and employment within the Kalgoorlie region, reinforcing the mine’s role as a cornerstone of the state’s resources economy while advancing its long-term transition from operations to closure.
