Yeelirrie Uranium Project

The subterranean fauna survey of Yeelirrie is perhaps one of the most thorough subterranean fauna surveys ever conducted in WA. Subterranean Ecology (the company who conducted the study) found that up to 12 species of stygofauna and troglofauna are highly endemic to the Yeelirrie calcrete zone, calcrete is a porous geology which is also the habitat for the subterranean fauna. There is no evidence that these 12 species exist anywhere else in the world. The project proposal included plans to remove 100% of the habitat of the 12 species through dewatering and mining. The WA EPA assessment found that the Yeelirrie uranium mine project would most likely cause the extinction of these species.

Following a Public Environment Review, the EPA assessment identified that Cameco’s Yeelirrie uranium mine proposal would most likely cause the extinction of 12 species of subterranean fauna and was therefore inconsistent with the objectives of the EP Act. The proponent appealed, but the Appeals Convenor found that the EPA’s findings were likely to be correct. The Minister for Environment agreed with the Appeals Office , but in consideration of other factors, including employment and the economy*, approved the mine despite its significant environmental impact.

CCWA and three Tjiwarl women challenged the decision through the WA Supreme Court and then the Court of Appeal. The court cases were only able to focus on whether the Minister had made an administrative error in the decision, not whether the decision was right or consistent with the EP Act. Both cases were dismissed .

The Yeelirrie project was not developed and, having failed to meet the five-year deadline to substantially commence the project, is now unable to go ahead without significant re-evaluation by the WA Government.