Sustainability
Environment & Climate
Our Position on Climate Change
As a copper developer, we are committed to supporting the transition to a low-carbon future by responsibly developing projects that supply essential minerals for renewable energy and electrification.
We aim to reduce our environmental impact through energy-efficient design and access to grid power which features renewable energy integration.
Caravel Minerals' connection to the state power grid will support the electrification of operations. This strategy is a cornerstone of our commitment to minimising emissions.
Biodiversity and Land
Respectful and responsible management
The Caravel Copper Project has been designed in a way which avoids areas of high environmental value and minimises disturbance to vegetation.
As a result, most of the project (85%) is set to be located on previously cleared land, some of which is heavily impacted by salinity. In addition, the use of existing roads for transport reduces impacts that would otherwise be required for new transport routes.
Water
Caravel, in collaboration with local landowners, have been carefully investigating potential saline ground water sources. We are committed to working in partnership throughout the life of the project to manage and protect water resources and where possible deliver benefits by using excess saline water.
Sustainable Water Supply
Water exploration and resource definition has targeted deep brackish aquifers in the Perth Basin where groundwater is regulated and licenced by the Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER). The company has also worked with landowners in areas experiencing rising groundwater and salinity issues at the surface where installation of production bores may be effective in reversing land degradation.
Caravel has conducted regional water census surveys twice per year (summer and winter) in consultation with private landowners surrounding the proposed borefield to build a more complete understanding of the landscape and water uses.
Energy
The Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS)
The project is located within the Western Australian State power grid and will use grid power for operations.
Planned upgrades to the SWIS incorporating extensive transmission improvements and significant investments in renewable energy technologies suggests modelling carried out under a “Future Ready” scenario may mean over 80% of energy consumed could be from renewable sources from the early 2030s, rising to 96% by 2042.
Energy Planning
As part of the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approval process, we have developed a GHG Management Plan (GHGMP) that establishes strategies and rigorous monitoring measures to minimise GHG emissions throughout the project’s lifecycle. This plan is closely aligned with the EPA’s objective to “minimise the risk of environmental harm associated with climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions as far as practicable,” as outlined in the EPA’s GHG Emissions Environmental Factor Guideline.
Approvals
Before development of the project can commence, approvals must be secured at the Local, State and Commonwealth levels.
Approvals under Part IV Environmental Protection Act 1986 (State) and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) are being sought to build and operate the Caravel Copper Project. Approvals are for mining and processing 30 Million tpa of ore to produce around 300,000tpa of saleable copper concentrate which will be transported to either the Bunbury or Geraldton port for export.
The Caravel Copper Project was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in 2022 which set the environmental assessment at the level of Public Environmental Review (PER). A PER is the highest and most transparent level of assessment for any type of new development in Western Australia.
In 2025, we continued undertaking the various environmental studies required for the finalisation of the Environmental Review Document (ERD). You can view more information on the approvals process and the Public Environmental Review period at the links below.
EPA Website - Caravel Copper Project Proposal
EPA Website - Proposal Assessment Process
Governing Legislation for Approvals Process
- Environmental Protection Act 1986 Part IV
- Mining Act 1978
- Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA)
- Work Health (Mines) Safety Regulations 2022
- Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 (WA)
- Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914
- Main Roads Act 1930 (WA)
- Local Government Act 1995
- Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AH Act) (WA)
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
- Waterways Conservation Act 1976