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Updates on Middleback Ranges

30 July 2025 – SMR PEPR Review approved

SIMEC’s PEPR Review for the South Middleback Ranges Area has been approved by the Director of Minerals Regulation in accordance with section 70C of the Mining Act, without alteration.

The approval of this PEPR incorporates the changes authorised in the Change in Operations approved on 2 May 2025 and allows for a raise to the Tailings Storage Facility, subject to DEM’s endorsement of the final design of Raise 9.

SIMEC initially submitted the PEPR review for assessment on 30 September 2024, with the final version submitted on 30 June 2025. DEM has undertaken a detailed assessment to ensure that all matters raised by Government have been appropriately addressed and control measures proposed by SIMEC, to avoid or manage confirmed impact events to accepted industry standards or limits prescribed in relevant EPA Environment Protection Policies.

2 May 2025 – SMR Change in Operations approved

SIMEC’s Change in Operations application has been approved by the Director of Minerals Regulation in accordance with Division 7 of the Mining Act.

The approval of this Change in Operations application will facilitate the Magnetite Expansion Project Phase 1 (MEP1) by allowing for the expansion of an existing waste rock dump south into MPL 32, realigning the access road around the waste rock dump, and constructing a topsoil stockpile on the waste rock dump.

SIMEC submitted the Change in Operations application on 16 August 2024. The application was published on DEM’s website inviting comments from the public, however no submissions were made. DEM has undertaken a detailed assessment to ensure that all matters raised by Government have been appropriately addressed and environmental outcomes proposed by SIMEC are appropriate.

A PEPR review will be required to incorporate the changes outlined in the approved change in operations application, along with other updates related to the MEP1 project.

03 April 2025 – IBMA PEPR Review approved

SIMEC’s PEPR for Iron Barron Mining Area has been approved by the Director of Minerals Regulation in accordance with section 70C of the Mining Act, without alteration.

The approval of this PEPR will allow SIMEC continue to undertake mining operations at the IBMA, primarily for hematite extraction.

SIMEC submitted the PEPR review for assessment on 15 August 2024. DEM has undertaken a detailed assessment to ensure that all matters raised by Government have been appropriately addressed and control measures proposed by SIMEC, to avoid or manage confirmed impact events to accepted industry standards or limits prescribed in relevant EPA Environment Protection Policies.

19 February 2025

Sebastian Hams, Michael Korda, Lara Wiggins and Mark Mentha (KordaMentha Pty Ltd ACN 100 169 391) were appointed Administrators of OneSteel Manufacturing Pty Limited.

Resource

Iron ore (magnetite and hematite)

Location

Middleback Ranges, southwest of Whyalla, Eyre Peninsula

Company and tenement information

OneSteel Manufacturing Pty Ltd trading as SIMEC Mining Group

The Middleback Ranges Project comprises a number of tenements which are broadly considered under different mining areas.

Mining is undertaken in three areas with multiple pits, including:

  • South Middleback Ranges (SMR) mining area
  • Iron Baron mining area
  • Iron Knob mining area

Download map showing Middleback Ranges tenements via the South Australian Resources Information Gateway (SARIG).

Mining operation and status

  • Operating
  • Open-cut mines in the Middleback Ranges producing magnetite ore for steel production and hematite ore for export, blended fines and pellets also shipping to Port Kembla and Newcastle in New South Wales

The deposit

Magnetite and hematite deposits within the Middleback Ranges (part of the Cleve sub-domain of the Gawler Craton, comprised primarily of Early Proterozoic metasediments of the Hutchison Group.

Resource estimates and production estimates

Company released resource estimates and production statistics for South Australia's major operating and approved mines are summarised in South Australia's Major Operating/Approved Mines Resource Estimates and Production Statistics

Approval process

Programs for environment protection and rehabilitation have been submitted and approved for each mining area.

Current documents

Mining proposals/Change in operations proposals

Program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR)