BHP’s Jimblebar expansion closes in on environmental approval

October 7, 2025

BHP’s Jimblebar expansion closes in on environmental approval

BHP will be required to limit their disturbance to animal habitats and commit to rehabilitating the local environment post-mining. — BHP will be required to limit its disturbance to animal habitats and commit to rehabilitating the local environment post-mining.

The WA Environmental Protection Agency (WA EPA) has given its endorsement and recommendations for BHP’s (ASX: BHP) proposed Jimblebar Hub expansion.

The Jimblebar Hub combined proposal covers plans to develop mining deposits both above and below the water table surrounding the Pilbara mine.

To facilitate this, BHP plans to build new overburden storage areas, a new beneficiation plant, an overland conveyor, roads and pipelines.

EPA chair Darren Walsh says the independent authority’s report included recommended conditions to mitigate impacts to conservation-significant flora and fauna and to ensure the protection of the area’s biodiversity and ecological integrity.

“Conditioning limits of disturbance to fauna habitat, including mining exclusion zones for the ghost bat, would support the continued presence of the species within the development envelope,” he said.

BHP’s proposal encompasses a 24,684ha development envelope 40km east of Newman on the traditional lands of the Nyiyaparli People. Up to 12,262ha of native vegetation will have to be cleared and several creeks diverted.

Jimblebar’s maximum project life is proposed to be 46 years, after which a pit lake may potentially be formed.

The EPA’s report also included advice on land rehabilitation after the mine’s closure, as well as across other sites in the Pilbara.

“Through the recommended conditions for this proposal and strategic engagement with proponents more broadly, the EPA looks forward to receiving evidence that progress is being made towards demonstrating that successful rehabilitation at relevant rates can be achieved post-mining, and the increasing gap between cleared and rehabilitated areas is progressively being narrowed,” the EPA report stated.

“The technical and practical feasibility of proponents’ proposed rehabilitation will be considered in future mining assessments in the Pilbara, and therefore understanding the successes and challenges of current rehabilitation activities and forward planning will be a key issue for the EPA moving forward.”

The EPA’s report to the WA Ministry for the Environment is open to public appeal until October 27, 2025.