Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended for environmental approval Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers Pty Ltd.’s proposal to construct and operate a urea plant within the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area, subject to conditions including air quality.
The $4.5 billion Perdaman urea project is located about 20 km northwest of Karratha and proposes to produce some 2.14 million mt/y of granular urea.
EPA Chair Professor Matthew Tonts said EPA’s conditions reflected the authority’s commitment to ensuring the projection of the Murujuga Peninsula’s unique environmental values, including the nearby rock art, according to an EPA statement on Sept. 6.
Tonts said the project proponent will need to demonstrate that the project has no adverse impact that accelerates the weathering of the rock art. The Murujuga petroglyphs had deep meaning for the Traditional Owners and were recognized as having immense state, national, and international significance.
Perdaman currently is targeting first production in the fourth quarter of 2025 (GM May 7, p. 1).
Tonts said EPA believes there is sufficient time before Perdaman operations begin for monitoring associated with the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy to be undertaken to develop detailed air quality standards that ensure this level of protection.
EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period, closing Sept. 20.
Perdaman in May signed a 20-year offtake deal with Incitec Fertilizers Pty Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Incitec Pivot Ltd. (IPL), for up to 2.3 million mt/y of granular urea from the proposed plant.