Background
Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd (Talison) is the operator of the Greenbushes Lithium Mine. The mine is regulated under both Part IV and Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department).
Ministerial Statement (Part IV of the EP Act)
Expansion of the Greenbushes Lithium Mine was approved under Part IV of the EP Act with the issue of Ministerial Statement 1111 (MS 1111) in August 2019.
Licence and works approvals (Part V of the EP Act)
Licence L4247/1991/13 issued under Part V of the EP Act regulates emissions and discharges from the mine site; and complements the requirements of MS 1111. See a copy of the current version of licence L4247/1991/13 and records of decision making on recent amendments to the licence.
Talison also holds several active works approvals which authorise construction and time limited operation (if applicable) of infrastructure at the mine site. The active works approvals are accessible through the department’s licence search.
Noise approval
Talison was granted an approval by the Minister for Environment in 2015 to exceed or vary from the prescribed noise standards under regulation 17 of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. The approval for the Greenbushes Lithium Mine can be accessed through Government Gazette 2015/031.
Current situation
Show moreThe department acknowledges community concerns surrounding dust and noise emissions from the Greenbushes Lithium Mine and continues to take these concerns seriously.
Management of dust emissions under Part V of the EP Act
Dust emissions from current operations are primarily managed through the operating licence L4247/1991/13 under Part V of the EP Act.
Recent amendments to licence L4247/1991/13 include (but are not limited to) new conditions to support better regulation of dust emissions. The conditions require Talison to:
- use continuous Australian Standard compliant dust monitors (PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 micrometres in diameter)).
- implement a Trigger Action Response Plan as a holistic approach to managing dust emissions at the mine site.
- update triggers and management actions to further improve dust management.
- undertake additional dust compositional sampling.
On 17 March 2025, the department amended works approval W6283/2019/1 to include conditions to further improve dust controls at the mine site.
The management of dust emissions is subject to ongoing review, and as new data becomes available (through the existing monitoring required by revised licence L4247/1991/13), the adequacy of existing controls will be assessed and may be updated.
New referral received under Part IV of the EP Act
In April 2025, Talison referred a further expansion of the Greenbushes Lithium Mine to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for assessment under section 38 of the EP Act. The proposed expansion is to incorporate waste rock landforms (S2 WRL, S8 WRL), Salt Water Gully Dam and additional mine infrastructure.
The EPA invited public comments on whether or not the EPA should assess the proposal and, if so, what level of assessment is considered appropriate. The seven-day comment period closed on 5 May 2025. Further opportunities to submit public comments may be available during the EPA’s assessment through the EPA Consultation Hub.
EPA Consultation Hub
Members of the public can sign up to a mailing list, through the EPA website, to receive notifications regarding open consultations. Please click on this link to find out how to register Public comment and submissions on proposals | EPA Western Australia. This link also provides more information on the Public Environmental Review process.
Applications under assessment under Part V of the EP Act
New applications and amendments that become available for public comment are also advertised on the department’s website. Members of the public can register to receive email notifications when new applications or amendments are available for public comment.
Noise exemption renewal
Talison applied to the Minister for Environment on 2 January 2024 to renew its 2015 approval to exceed or vary from the prescribed noise standards under regulation 17 of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. The Minister has referred that application to the department’s Chief Executive Officer for assessment. Until the renewal application is determined, the 2015 approval continues to have effect.
Complaints
The department investigates reports of dust and noise in the local community and where appropriate, will take further action to address any unreasonable emissions or unacceptable risks.
The community is encouraged to report instances of pollution or environmental impacts to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Environment WAtch service, or via email at [email protected], or by calling 1300 784 782 at the time the impacts are occurring.
More information
This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Submit a report to Environment WAtch
Show moreWhen you submit a report to Environment WAtch, you will receive a response from us acknowledging your submission. We may contact you for further information.
Not all matters reported to Environment WAtch are managed by the department. For reports that relate to another local government or other State or Australian Government agency, we will forward the report to the relevant authority. Please note you may remain anonymous.
You can call our Environment WAtch hotline on 1300 784 782 or use the form below to submit your report.
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