Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has awarded strategic project status to the Gonneville project under WA’s Lead Agency Framework.
Project owner Chalice Mining was given formal recognition of the strategic value of the rare earths-nickel-cobalt-copper project and its potential to deliver significant economic and energy transition benefits for WA and the region.
Located 70km northeast of Perth, the Gonneville project is located in Chalice owned farmland and has the potential to produce a rare mix of critical and strategic minerals required for decarbonisation and urbanisation, such as nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium and platinum.
Chalice Mining chief executive officer and managing director Alex Dorsch said the company is pleased to receive this formal recognition and support from the Western Australian Government, demonstrating the strategic importance of Gonneville as the first major platinum group element discovery in Australia, and one of the largest critical and strategic minerals projects in the state.
“We are grateful for the recognition and Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s ongoing case management support,” he said.
“Approval as a strategic project under the Lead Agency Framework recognises the greater engagement with all parts of the WA Government as we progress regulatory approvals.
“It’s also pleasing that environmental approvals for the Gonneville project will be supported by the Green Energy Assessment Unit.
“We look forward to working with the Western Australian and Federal Government, local communities and Traditional Owners, as well as Mitsubishi Corporation, as we progress approvals and project studies for this important project.”
The government designed the Lead Agency framework to focus it’s efforts towards projects that need to proceed first to deliver on targets set for decarbonisation and economic diversification.
The Green Energy Major Projects group will assume lead agency responsibility for the project and provide a high level of project facilitation, including for regulatory approvals and infrastructure requirements.
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