Twiggy loses cattle station mine fight

BILLIONAIRE Andrew Forrest has lost the latest fight against mining on his cattle station in the Pilbara, with Onslow Resources given approvals

Twiggy Forrest

BILLIONAIRE mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has lost a fight to prevent mining on his cattle station in the Pilbara.

Perth-based Onslow Resources, Yarri Mining and Quarry Park have been granted conditional approval to mine for mineral sands in the Ashburton River bed and surrounds, despite Mr Forrest saying it would cause environmental damage to the Minderoo pastoral station near Onslow.

Mr Forrest, who owns a third of Pilbara iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group, argued that mining operations would affect parts of the Ashburton River, deprive him of using land and harm the pastoral business which runs more than 3000 head of cattle.

It would also "sterilise and degrade the land" and "cause environmental damage," Mr Forrest's submission to the WA Warden's Court said.

"Forrest regards the Ashburton River to be significant to its pastoral operations on Minderoo as a source of water and from the overall benefits it brings to all aspects of the surrounding environment," his submission says.

But Magistrate Stephen Wilson dismissed Mr Forrest's objections and recommended that the WA mines minister grant mining leases to the three parties subject to conditions such as filling in drill holes and rehabilitating land.

Onslow Resources, which is directed by Warren Slater, and Quarry Park plan to mine river sand from the the riverbed of the Ashburton River during the dry season to supply concrete sands to Boral for the massive Chevron-operated Wheatstone gas project nearby.

The Ashburton River runs through the entire 240,000 hectare Minderoo pastoral lease, effectively dividing it in half.

Five years ago Mr Forrest secured the Minderoo pastoral lease for $12 million and he has since worked to restore the massive property.

His family connection to Minderoo stretches back to the 1870s.

The magistrate's decision on January 31 in the WA Warden's Court is the latest round in a series of battles between Mr Forrest and the privately owned Onslow Resources and other parties.

The WA Warden's Court hears disputes about exploration and mining leases.

Uranium miners Paladin Energy and Cauldron Energy have also expressed interest in exploring Minderoo and a ruling on Cauldron's application is expected to be delivered later in the year.

Mr Forrest can now appeal the most recent decision to the Supreme Court.