The same complex and unusual geology that underpins much of the landform and botanical diversity of the proposed reserve area has also long been of interest to the mining industry. Indeed, it was mining – gold initially, and then copper – that powered the establishment of Ravensthorpe as a town (see history below). However, despite this, very little mining activity has taken place in the proposed reserve, and the significance of mining enterprises in the district has been patchy at best.
Detailed maps produced by the Geological Survey of Western Australia show a band of former mines running in an arc from north of the town to the east and south-east, along the western fringe of the Ravensthorpe Range. The historic townsites of Desmond / Elverdton and Kundip owe their brief existence to this activity. Almost without exception, this mineralisation lies east of the Hopetoun Road – and therefore outside the proposed reserve area.
As best as can be ascertained from this mapping, there may have been less than a handful of historic mine sites within the reserve. This suggests that despite suggestions that the area is “minerally prospective” history has shown that such exploration as has occurred has not produced results worth pursuing. However, there is now a “new” mineral of interest – and that is lithium. It is exploration for this mistakenly-labelled “rare earth” that has sparked the campaign to conserve the Cocanarup – Kundip area. See below for details.
Further, the whole of the proposed reserve area is covered by either existing or pending exploration tenements, as is shown on the map below. This suggests that despite the unproductive history of past exploration the area remains of interest to mining companies – and therefore under potential threat. Only the declaration of a Class A Reserve (Nature Reserve or National Park) can alleviate this threat in the long term.
The extent of existing and pending exploration tenements can clearly be seen on this map
Threats posed by exploration
Threats posed by exploration
The Cocanarup – Kundip bushland is currently largely intact, with very few access tracks, and therefore still supports a diverse range of naturally functioning and (currently) resilient ecosystems which are not yet represented in the conservation estate. Further, the area is currently almost completely dieback free, with only one known small infestation in its 65,000 hectares. Retaining this status is crucial to its long-term conservation value.
But the threats are real, and potentially both significant and imminent:
- Tenement conditions require mining companies to undertake exploration activity annually.
- Exploration can pose a significant threat to conservation values, as it often involves new access tracks (and vehicular transit along them). These create corridors for the incursion of:
- Dieback – spread by vehicles using the previously non-existent access routes;
- Feral predators, such as foxes and cats (known to favour vehicle tracks for ease of movement);
- Weed species, either via vehicles or animals (in droppings or trapped in fur);
- Wildfire, via human access along previously non-existent tracks;
- Erosion, as is already evident on access tracks created for earlier exploration.
While we appreciate that it will take some time for the government to review the tenure of the Cocanarup-Kundip area, we are concerned that the time this may take could put at risk one of the greatest attributes of this landscape: its unusual and crucial intactness. Given this, it is vital that we continue to press for some form of interim protection for the area while our proposal is being considered – and this remains a priority activity for CCA and its members and supporters.
Lithium mining
Lithium mining
In the era of rechargeable batteries, lithium has become a highly sought-after mineral, and something of a boom in exploration and mining of this product has occurred in the last 10 years or so. Indeed, Western Australia is a major world supplier, primarily from a massive open-cut mine near Greenbushes. Chile and Argentina also have huge resources, and are increasingly competitive suppliers.
Ravensthorpe has its own lithium mine, the Mt Cattlin operation owned by Arcadium Lithium. This lies just 2 km north-west of town, and brings both benefits and challenges for the local community. An image of this mine’s proximity to town can be seen below.
The proximity of the Mt Cattlin mine to the town of Ravensthorpe is clearly evident from above (image early 2023)
Courtesy Google Earth
Notwithstanding the “darling” status of lithium in light of the need to move away from fossil fuels, the market for this mineral has been – and remains – uncertain:
- A mis-match of supply and demand has resulted in volatile prices, which dropped dramatically in the early 2020’s;
- New technologies for renewable batteries are under rapid development, and these are likely to use materials other than lithium.
Despite this, the Cocanarup Conservation Alliance Inc. recognises the role mining plays in the fabric of Western Australia:
- We accept that mining is part of life, business and industry;
- We acknowledge that many people benefit from mining;
- We recognize the importance of lithium in today’s world, and we support renewable energy in all its forms;
- We understand that the State Government is keen to support a lithium industry.
In summary, it is not mining as such that is the issue – it is where it takes place.
Bulletin Resources clearing permit application 2022
Bulletin Resources clearing permit application
In May 2022 an application was made to clear for exploration purposes, in a critical location within our proposed Cocanarup - Kundip Class A Reserve area. The application relates to exploration tenement (E 74/655) and was lodged by Bulletin Resources Ltd. This company took over the tenement from Lithium Australia, the company which contravened the conditions of their clearing permit in 2017, and who were subsequently fined and required to rectify the damage caused.
After almost two years, Department of Mines (DEMIRS) published their decision on this application on 5th April 2024. In a landmark decision the application has been REFUSED.
In summary, the reasons given for the decision are:
“After consideration of the available information, …. the Delegated Officer determined the proposed clearing is likely to lead to long-term adverse impacts on the conservation, survival and viability of breeding and feeding habitat for the Carnaby’s cockatoo within the local and regional context. The Delegated Officer also determined that the proposed clearing will impact habitat that is critical for the long term viability of numbats. The flora, fauna, land resources, significant remnant vegetation and conservation areas will be impacted and cannot be minimised and managed to be unlikely to lead to an unacceptable risk to environmental values.
Noting the above, the Delegated Officer determined to refuse to grant a clearing permit.” (DEMIRS, Clearing Permit Decision Report, (9749/1), published 5/4/2024, p. 2)
This decision was appealable and the Office of the Appeals Convenor has confirmed that one appeal has been lodged. The Appeals Convenor gives no indication how long any particular appeal will take to be processed.
For the record we consider it worthwhile documenting the history of this clearing application, which is as follows:
The Bulletin Resources application relates to an area east of Cocanarup South Track and south of the Phillips River (see maps below). This initial proposal (May 2022) involved the clearing of up to 7 ha of native vegetation within a 222 ha ‘Proposal Area’ for construction of access tracks and drill pads and was not supported by biological surveys of the application area. In June, CCA lodged an extensive and detailed objection to this proposal and urged anyone concerned about exploration activity in this area to do the same, resulting in a welcome array of informed and impassioned submissions. Fifty-two submissions were received (DEMIRS April 2024, Decision Report, p.7). At the end of June 2022 Department of Mines (DEMIRS) requested Bulletin Resources conduct biological surveys (in line with the EPA Technical Guidance) if they wished to proceed with the application.
In December 2022, Bulletin Resources provided the required surveys, so again the application was active. CCA lodged an additional submission in January 2023 with specific reference to the biological surveys now provided.
In February 2023 the application (now referred to as the Ravensthorpe Lithium Project) was referred by Conservation Council of WA to the Environmental Protection Agency for assessment. At the end of April there was the opportunity to make submissions to the EPA relating to whether they should assess this proposal and if so at what level. The EPA received an impressive number of submissions (total of 759) calling for a Public Environmental Review – the highest level of assessment. In late September 2023 EPA resolved not to assess the proposal but instead to refer it back to DEMIRS to be assessed as a clearing permit under Part V Division 2 (Clearing) of the EP Act.
At the same time the proponent had self-referred the proposal under the EPBC Act, to the federal Department of the Environment (DCCEEW). CCA along with many others made a submission to that process in April 2023. DCCEEW ruled that: “The proposed action is a controlled action. The project will require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed” (20/4/2023).
It seems no further action was taken by DCCEEW at that time, awaiting the outcome of the EPA referral.
Following the EPA decision, in early October, Bulletin Resources submitted a revised proposal to DEMIRS which reduced the clearing footprint to 2.3 ha within an area of 22 ha. CCA again wrote a submission to DEMIRS which included the new information that red-tailed phascogale had been photographed within 2 km of the application area, and commenting on vegetation in the proposed drill sites and confirming an active Carnaby’s nest close to the clearing line.
After much deliberation and requests for more information from Bulletin Resources, DEMIRS published their decision on 5th April 2024 to REFUSE the application. An appeal against this decision has been lodged.
For those interested in the proposal documentation and the refusal decision, they can be downloaded here: Index of /permit/9749 (dwer.wa.gov.au)
Flora and vegetation survey: 21137_Tetris_Memo Report_v2.0.pdf
Fauna survey: 2022-0105-002-gt V2 final with appendices (4).pdf
Refusal: https://ftp.dwer.wa.gov.au/permit/9749/Refusal
Clearing Area Map
Map of vegetation condition (Talis, 2024) (DEMIRS, Decision Report, May 2024, p. 17) indicating that the clearing line would create a disturbance area of over 5 km in length through largely excellent quality vegetation
CCA is steadfastly opposed to this application.
In summary our objections are:
"This is an area with such highly significant nature conservation and cultural values that there is no place for mining activity of any sort. We therefore strongly oppose the proposed clearing application. Key nature conservation and cultural heritage values can be summarised as follows:
- The area is high quality, healthy, undisturbed bush, and is part of the Cocanarup Timber Reserve.
- The area is within the known breeding habitat (nesting, feeding & watering) of the endangered and iconic Carnaby’s black-cockatoo.
- The area adjoining the river is woodland, a continuation of the outstanding woodland on the northern side of the river.
- The area is likely habitat for six threatened or priority species of fauna (Carnaby’s black-cockatoo, heath mouse, chuditch, mallee fowl, red-tailed phascogale, tammar wallaby).
- The proposed clearing area abuts the main channel of the Phillips River and includes one major, and several smaller creeks, all of which are flood-prone and sensitive landscape features, and should not be disturbed.
- As it falls within the wider Cocanarup area, the proposed exploration area has significant and sensitive, Noongar and settler, cultural heritage values."
We simply cannot let this environmental vandalism proceed.
Lithium exploration in the Cocanarup Timber Reserve, 2017
Lithium exploration in the Cocanarup Timber Reserve, 2017
In 2016 three clearing permits were issued for exploration works in the Cocanarup Timber Reserve – two to Lithium Australia and one to Kingston Resources (on a tenement subsequently purchased by Galaxy Resources). Exploration activity was then undertaken in the first half of 2017. The two primary sites of activity are known as Horseshoe and Deep Purple, and can be seen on the annotated satellite image below.
Both the Horseshoe and Deep Purple exploration sites are visible on satellite imagery (early 2019)
Image by Jesse Brampton
One site, “Horseshoe”, is south of the Cocanarup homestead in mixed mallee vegetation. This was what is known as a “bulk sampling site” – and the scale of the on-ground impact is clear to see in the images below.
The depth of some of the exploratory costeans in the Horseshoe site exceeds 4 metres
Courtesy Ron Richards
“Bulk sampling” methods of exploration have been employed at Horseshoe, with resultant substantial impacts
Courtesy Ron Richards
Exploration work at Horseshoe also involved grid lines for drill holes
Courtesy Ron Richards
While this work is disturbing enough, the activity at the second site, “Deep Purple”, was what triggered the outrage that led to this campaign.
The Deep Purple site is in the midst of a stand of mature and majestic salmon gum – and therefore in the midst of a host of known Carnaby’s black-cockatoo nest trees. The exploration work in this area appeared to be in breach of the clearing permit conditions. Tracks were gouged deeply into the hillside, directly alongside nest trees, and work was undertaken in wet soil conditions. Images of some of this degradation can be seen in the "Exploration Gallery" below.
Investigations were undertaken at both the State and Federal level. Following the investigation by the Department of Mines, Industrial Relations and Safety (DMIRS), Lithium Australia was fined the sum of $35,874 for breaches of its Clearing Permit. On the other hand, the Federal Department of the Environment & Energy concluded that “the works to date are unlikely to have a significant impact on the Carnaby's Cockatoo. However, the Department has contacted the person taking the action to ensure they are aware of their obligations under the Act, and understands that they intend to refer all future action to the Department for assessment and approval under the Act.”
In June 2019 these tracks were rehabilitated by a local contractor, and the results can also be seen in the gallery below.
Information on the Lithium Australia website in June 2019 only provided outcomes of the Horseshoe site exploration – and this indicated that “assays failed to define any economic lithium mineralisation”. However, it was also indicated that further activity would be undertaken on the site in an attempt to “better quantify the nature of the mineralisation”. No information was provided regarding the outcomes of work at the Deep Purple site.
The Cocanarup Conservation Alliance Inc. is committed to ensuring that no further exploration takes place at either site – or at the Galaxy Resources site known as Baker’s Hill North-East (immediately adjacent to Deep Purple). This location – and Deep Purple – are particularly disturbing as they fall within one of the three most important nesting sites in the world for the Carnaby’s black-cockatoo. One of the primary goals of our campaign is to ensure that such a critical area for this endangered species is not put under threat by further exploration work.
A brief mining history
A brief mining history
Mining was at the heart of the early settlement of Ravensthorpe. The place was initially known as the Phillips River Goldfield after small quantities of gold was discovered in the late 1890s. Prospectors soon arrived at what became the Hawks Nest Camp, and by 1904 the first government smelter had become operational. Copper too, was mined and processed locally, especially in the Cattlin Creek. The main mines involved in this early period were situated in an arc to the north, east and south-east of the town – beyond the boundaries of the proposed Class A Reserve, as shown on the map below.
This map shows that all of the numerous historic mines in the Ravensthorpe region have been outside the proposed reserve area
Image by Jesse Brampton. Base map courtesy WITT, W. K.,1998, ‘Geology and mineral resources of the Ravensthorpe and Cocanarup 1:100 000 sheets: Western Australia Geological Survey, Report 54’
The population of Ravensthorpe and the goldfield peaked in 1911, when in excess of 2,000 people lived here, mostly associated with gold mining. Thereafter both population and mining activity declined rapidly, and despite brief flurries of activity around Kundip and Desmond in later years, the area never became a significant mineral producer.
Of interest is the very first gold discovered in the area, which was located on the Annabel Creek just north of the proposed Reserve (south-west of town) – this was found by James Dunn, one of the brothers from the Cocanarup Sheep Station, in 1898.
In 2004 BHP Billiton commenced construction of a massive lateritic nickel mine at Bandalup Hill, 35 km south-east of Ravensthorpe. This was officially opened in 2008, but soon ran into trouble and was sold to First Quantum Minerals in 2010. The local economy suffered a massive shock through this process, with approximately 1800 jobs being lost. First Quantum subsequently revamped operations at the mine and reopened it, with a workforce one-third of the original size. They have gone into “care and maintenance” at least twice since, with consequent roller-coaster impacts on the local community.
In 2009 Galaxy Resources opened its Mt Cattlin Mine on the outskirts of Ravensthorpe (just 2 km north of town), near the old Hawks Nest mining camp. This is a spodumene (or hard rock) lithium project, with processing undertaken onsite. It too, went into care and maintenance in 2013, again disrupting the local economy. It reopened in 2016, underwent an expansion in 2019 and the forecast ‘end of mine life’ is 2027 – 2028. This mine has brought both benefits and challenges for the local community.
