- Landmark Pilbara irrigation project starts
- Surplus mine water to grow crops for livestock
- Potential to create a vast new WA agricultural zone
The first water for an exciting Pilbara agricultural project that uses surplus water from nearby mining operations was switched on today by Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman.
After officially turning on the first pivot of the planned 17, Mr Redman then inspected Rio Tinto's Hamersley Agricultural Project in the East Pilbara, where Rhodes grass is being grown under irrigation using surplus water from Rio Tinto's nearby Marandoo iron ore operation.
"This is a visionary project highlighting the enormous agricultural opportunities to be realised through collaboration with the mining sector," Mr Redman said.
"When it's fully operational, the Hamersley Agricultural Project will irrigate about 850 hectares of Rhodes grass, producing 30,000 plus tonnes of hay per year for use by Rio Tinto on its pastoral properties.
"Surplus hay would also be made available to other interested pastoralists who currently face logistical issues due to their remoteness from southern suppliers.
"The Department of Agriculture and Food has worked closely with Rio Tinto to develop this project. Potentially, similar projects using surplus water from other mines could create an extensive agricultural sector in the Pilbara.
"As below water table mining increases throughout the Pilbara, this will create a future source of significant volumes of water for a range of uses. That water represents an exciting opportunity to help grow our agriculture and food sector even further."
Rio Tinto is conducting studies into a bigger project also in the Pilbara which may include irrigated hay production and a cattle feedlot operation.
Fact File
- Department of Agriculture and Food and Rio Tinto began investigating the use of excess mine water for agricultural production at Rio's Hope Downs mine in early 2007
- The Hamersley Agricultural Project received EPA approval last year
Minister's office - 6552 6700
