Group 6 Metals ramps up environmentally-friendly development activities at Dolphin tungsten mine
Group 6 Metals is committed to redeveloping its Dolphin tungsten mine in an environmentally sustainable manner, with conservation central to its activities.
Following a string of regulatory approvals for its wholly-owned Dolphin tungsten mine in Tasmania, emerging producer Group 6 Metals (ASX: G6M) has confirmed it will ramp up construction activities at the site using an environmentally-friendly approach.
Located on King Island, Dolphin is host to the highest-grade tungsten deposit of significant size in the western world.
Conservation of the environment is of high importance to Group 6 and is central to the project’s redevelopment schedule.
Conservation covenant land
The company has committed 337,000 square metres of land as “conservation covenant” area at the Grassy-based mine site to protect the Blue Gum eucalyptus forest, which provides nesting sites and habitat for some of King Island’s threatened flora and fauna.
A $2 million government grant to Hydro Tasmania for upgrading the 11 kilovolt line to Dolphin will provide Group 6 with access to King Island’s power grid for construction and mining operations.
A significant portion of this power will be generated by green renewable energy, which will lower the overall carbon footprint of the mine.
Sustainable development
Group 6 chief executive officer Keith McKnight said the company was committed to sustainable development and operations.
The company’s environmental approval conditions also require detailed environmental management and monitoring plans are implemented to protect the local flora and fauna.
“We will prioritise local employment where practical and implement training programs for local people seeking skilled employment at the mine site,” he added.
Economic driver
Dolphin has been a key economic driver of King Island’s economy in the past and Mr McKnight hoped that through its redevelopment, “it will play a significant role again”.
“We are grateful for the support of the local authorities and the broader community which it continues to work with in a highly constructive manner,” he said.
“We are committed to redeveloping Dolphin in a responsible and sustainable way, while generating jobs, growth and economic returns from this fantastic asset.”
Group 6 will initially focus on producing a high grade of tungsten concentrate from Dolphin, with plans to value-add the product for supply into the upstream tungsten industry.