Midwest Communities Voice Concerns Over Karara Mine’s Water Use
A significant magnetite ore operation in Western Australia’s Midwest is seeking a substantial extension to its lifespan, raising alarm bells among local authorities regarding the security of vital groundwater resources. Karara Mining Limited has applied to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for approval to continue its operations in the Shire of Perenjori until 2048, a move that has prompted immediate concerns about long-term water availability.
Shire Requests Pause on EPA Assessment Amidst Water Worries
The neighbouring Shire of Mingenew has formally requested the EPA to halt its assessment process for the proposed 15-year extension. The primary objective of this pause is to allow for a more thorough examination of the potential impacts the extended mining operations could have on local groundwater supplies, particularly the Parmelia aquifer.
Karara Mining’s operation, located approximately 340 kilometres north-east of Perth, has been a subject of scrutiny since its initial approval in 2011. At that time, the company was granted permission to extract a substantial 92 per cent of the available water from a specific section of the Parmelia aquifer, a potable water source crucial for the local community.
Community Unease Over High Groundwater Allocation
Mingenew Shire President Hellene McTaggart expressed long-standing unease within the community regarding the scale of groundwater extraction. “There was a lot of community concern [as] it’s incredibly high-quality water,” McTaggart stated. “I understand it’s one of, if not the only, drinkable groundwater supplies within the area.”
Adding to these concerns, the company recently secured approval to draw an additional gigalitre of groundwater from the Yandanooka bore field until 2035, despite its original licence for the Parmelia aquifer subsection set to expire in 2027. Karara currently holds a licence to draw five of the 5.4 gigalitres available in Mingenew’s section of the Parmelia aquifer.
McTaggart emphasized the interconnectedness of water licensing and environmental impact assessments. “I understand that there are water licensing arrangements … but we are very concerned that such an important natural asset is not being considered in the full environmental impact,” she said. “We understand water licensing is a separate process to this EPA but [groundwater] is such a significant resource and such a huge allocation that we think it cannot be divorced from the overall assessment.”
Broader Regional Concerns About Water Scarcity
The issue of water security is not isolated to Mingenew, with other local governments in the Midwest region echoing similar sentiments. Karen Chappel, president of the nearby Morawa Shire, highlighted that water supply for regional towns has been a persistent concern for local governments over the past two decades.
“But when mining came on board and the licences [were] being given to the likes of the local mining company to help with their project, it really made our small towns very vulnerable,” Chappel explained. “[Karara takes] an awful lot of water that’s allocated for mining and it doesn’t leave a lot of wriggle room for use for communities or for towns and farms.”
While welcoming industrial development, local councils remain cautious, recognizing water as a finite resource. “We welcome industry, but we also have to remember that water is a finite resource and some of our communities get their water from different aquifers,” Chappel noted. “So small local governments are obviously concerned as to the impact all of these [water] licences have on the community.”
Regulatory Oversight and Future Considerations
A spokesperson for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) indicated that water licences are evaluated based on a “range of factors.” The department stated it would “review and amend water licences where required to ensure resources are being managed sustainably to meet government and community expectations.”
While water licensing operates under a distinct legislative framework from the EPA’s environmental impact assessments, the DWER acknowledged that both processes must account for water-related impacts. “Both regulatory processes have a role to consider potential impacts and management associated with water extraction,” the spokesperson added. The EPA may also seek technical input from the DWER regarding water resource regulation.
Karara Mining Limited has not yet responded to inquiries regarding its water licensing agreements and the community’s concerns.
