Save the Tarkine has asked Environment Minister Sussan Ley to investigate possible breach

A week after protesters were arrested at Venture Minerals iron ore project near Tullah, environmentalists have implored a minister to investigate if the company is breaking the conditions of its approval. DETAILS >>

Bob Brown Foundation's Tarkine Campaigner Scott Jordan in temperate rainforest near the Riley Creek proposed mine site on Tasmania's West Coast

CONSERVATIONISTS have written to Environment Minister Sussan Ley asking she investigate if a company set to start mining iron ore near Tullah has breached the conditions of its approval.

Save the Tarkine says a condition of the approval given to Venture Minerals for its Riley iron ore mine under the Environmental Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation Act granted in 2013 was that “substantial” operations begin within five years.

Venture Minerals is on site and dry screening operations have started but Save the Tarkine says that did not represent substantial activity.

The group asked Ms Ley to investigate and to prosecute if necessary.

Venture Minerals said it was in full compliance with its EPBC approvals.

“This is another attempt by Bob Brown Foundation and Save the Tarkine to frustrate the development of this mine despite the fact that is has low environmental impact, will create 100 much needed jobs and inject about $100 million into the Tasmanian economy in the next two years,” CEO Andrew Radonjic said.

“Engaging in ‘lawfare’ is part of the environmental activist playbook to achieve their objectives.”

It comes a week after two protesters were arrested at the mine site on August 20.

The Bob Brown Foundation protesters locked themselves to machinery and to a site gate.

“With questions marks over the validity of Venture’s permits the federal and state environment ministers should be here to stop this mine and defend the heritage values,” campaigner Scott Jordan said.

Venture Minerals told the Australian Stock Exchange the dry screening of surface ore would generate cash flow as it worked towards full mine production.

The company said the iron ore price was strengthening and its wet processing plant would be running soon.