Aurukun Bauxite project

Project summary

The EIS process for this project has now concluded.

Description

• Development of a new open-cut bauxite mine and associated infrastructure extracting up to 15 million tonnes per year (Mt/yr) of bauxite ore for 25 years.

Key features

• Construction and operation of a greenfield, open-cut bauxite mine, extracting up to 15 Mt/yr of run of mine (ROM) bauxite ore and associated infrastructure.
• Construction and operation of an accommodation village for up to 280 persons.
• Construction and operation of an instream water supply dam.
• Screening and washing of bauxite ore in an on-site beneficiation plant.
• Construction and operation of a product haul road and coastal loading facility for loading of product bauxite onto a transhipment vessel.
• Transhipment of product bauxite onto an ocean going vessel for export.

Proponents

• Unincorporated joint venture between Glencore Bauxite Resources Pty Ltd (wholly owned subsidiary of Glencore plc) and MDP Bauxite Pty Ltd (wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation)

Location/s

• Approximately 35 kilometres (km) south of Weipa and 23 kilometres (km) north-east of Aurukun on the Cape York Peninsula

Local government/s

• Aurukun Shire Council and Cook Shire Council

Lifespan

• Approximately 25 years (including 2 years construction)

Jobs

• 210-250 (construction)
• 350-406 (operation)

Commonwealth Approval needed

• Yes (accredited assessment process under Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; EPBC 2020/8624), single EIS assessment process for Queensland and the Commonwealth

Environmental impact statement (EIS)

The EIS assessment report was issued to the proponent on 30 April 2025 in accordance with section 60 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act). The EIS process under Chapter 3, Part 1 of the EP Act is now completed.

Documents

The following documents can be obtained through the EIS section of the EP Act Public Register by searching on EIS number EIS100730098:

• EIS assessment report (PDF, 5 MB)
• Final terms of reference (PDF, 1 MB)
• Draft terms of reference (PDF, 879.4 KB)
• Initial advice statement describing the project (PDF, 12.4 MB)

The EIS is available on the proponent’s website: Aurukun Bauxite Project.

Further information

For further information about the EIS process for the Aurukun Bauxite Project, please contact the EIS Coordinator  on 13QGOV (13 74 68) or email eis@detsi.qld.gov.au