Environmental group ‘shocked’ as South32 begins geotechnical work along Hotham River in southern WA

People living near a controversial mine south of Perth believe groundwork for its expansion has already begun, despite an ongoing appeal against the project.

The imminent growth of South32’s Worsley Alumina project has been the subject of significant environmental and cultural concern among the neighboring communities of Boddington, Quindanning and Wandering since the proposal was released.

The proposal will see an expansion of the Worsley Alumina mine and is under appeal after the Environmental Protection Agency recommended conditional approval in July.

However, local residents who opposed the project noted this week that the company had begun preliminary work along the Hotham River.

The work is part of investigative geotechnical surveys to assess the location of a proposed haul road across the river for future mining operations.

Environmental Protection and Action community group leader Josie Sherlock said she was notified on Monday by Indigenous monitors at the site, who were “shocked and upset” by the impact on the culturally significant waterway.

Located in Wilman’s Country, the Hotham River is associated with Dreamtime stories of the Rainbow Serpent, or Waugal, which is said to have appeared near Wandering before traveling westward creating the river.

ABC has Images of the works were shown, which involve draining the river’s water levels to allow probes access to its banks in the future.

Documentation obtained by ABC indicates that drilling will then penetrate to a depth of 75m as part of “investigative geotechnical activities”.

“Frankly, it’s a real kick in the teeth,” said Dr. Sherlock.

“We have been fighting hard, following all the right paths to try to correctly assess this expansion before they go ahead and do any soil disturbing activity.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) said it would take seven days to respond to the ABC’s queries.

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.

Community protest

A demonstration against the project drew more than 100 people to Quindanning last week, with participants including local farmers, members of LEAP and other environmental advocacy groups.

Dr Sherlock said the environmental and cultural conservation of the Hotham River was one of the biggest concerns shared by those attending the rally.

The purpose of the planned transport bridge is to provide heavy vehicle access to future bauxite mining areas, but mining of these areas is subject to approval of the proposed expansion.

“It really makes us wonder whether the whole appeals and environmental review process has any teeth,” Dr. Sherlock said.

A spokesperson for Environment Minister Reece Whitby said he was unable to comment due to the ongoing appeals process.

A spokesperson for South32 told the ABC that the mining company has all necessary authorizations for investigative geotechnical activities.

“The current activities undertaken are investigative geotechnical activities to inform the final design of the bridge,” they said.

“The activities are not construction work and do not involve the implementation of the Worsley proposal.”

The spokesperson also said the company has approval from the Traditional Owners of the area, the Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation, to carry out these works and provides them with regular updates on the project.

The Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation has been contacted for comment.