Electrostate Malinda Pty Ltd (ESM) has filed a proposal with the Environmental Protection Authority to develop and operate the Yinnetharra lithium project in Western Australia.
ESM is seeking to mine and process lithium ore to produce a high-value spodumene concentrate, targeting an annual production rate of two million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).
The project is located in the Gascoyne Region, approximately 125 kilometres northeast of Gascoyne Junction and 250 kilometres northeast of Carnarvon, Western Australia.
The proposal outlines a comprehensive mining precinct spanning an 11-year operational life, followed by a two-year closure phase. The site will combine both open-cut pits and underground mining areas, supported by a full-scale processing plant and a run-of-mine (ROM) pad.
Given the remote location, the project includes the construction of significant supporting infrastructure to make the site self-sufficient.
This includes an on-site accommodation village for workers, a dedicated airstrip for fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) operations, a borefield and associated pipework to facilitate mine dewatering and water supply and waste rock and integrated waste landforms.
ESM has defined a development envelope of 3,753 hectares, with an indicative disturbance footprint of 1,612 hectares. This will involve the clearing of native vegetation to make way for the mine, processing facilities, and infrastructure corridors.
The project will initially target the lithium deposit via open cut pits, followed by the development of underground mining areas.
The underground orebody extends from approximately 140 m to 500 m below surface and will be accessed via a boxcut portal located north of the open pit.
Access to the remote site will be managed via the Carnarvon Mullewa Road and the Cobra-Dairy Creek Road. The project is expected to provide a substantial economic boost to the Gascoyne region, which has traditionally relied on pastoral work and tourism.
ESM has identified three vulnerable fauna species inside the project. The company assured that the project has been designed to avoid and minimise significant environmental impacts where possible.
The proposal will now move through the relevant state regulatory and environmental assessment pathways.
