Overview
Windimurra Vanadium Mine is a 23.7 MW gas power plant in Western Australia, operated by Atlantic Ltd. It supplies electricity to the vanadium mining operation.
Windimurra Vanadium Mine is a gas-fired power plant located in Western Australia, near the town of Mount Magnet. With a capacity of 23.7 MW, it is a small-scale facility dedicated to powering the vanadium mining operations at the site. The plant is owned and operated by Atlantic Ltd and is currently operational. The plant uses natural gas as its primary fuel, a relatively cleaner fossil fuel compared to coal. In Australia, gas power plants are subject to national emissions regulations under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and state-based environmental protection laws. The plant's small capacity suggests it uses reciprocating engines or gas turbines typical for remote mining applications. As a captive power plant for a vanadium mine, Windimurra plays a critical role in supporting mineral extraction and processing in a remote region. Its operation contributes to the local economy and resource sector, while its gas-fired technology results in lower emissions per MWh compared to coal-fired alternatives. The plant's location in a sparsely populated area reduces direct exposure to population centers.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired technology produces lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its remote location in Western Australia minimizes direct impact on populated areas. The facility supports vanadium mining, which has its own environmental considerations including land disturbance and water use. Regulatory oversight under Australian environmental laws ensures compliance with emission standards.
Frequently asked questions
Windimurra Vanadium Mine is located in Western Australia, approximately 100 km southeast of Mount Magnet, near the Windimurra vanadium deposit.
It is a gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 23.7 MW, primarily used to supply electricity to the vanadium mining and processing operations.
The plant is owned and operated by Atlantic Ltd, a company involved in resource development in Australia.
Gas power plants in Australia must comply with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and state-based environmental protection laws, including emission limits for NOx and SOx.
With a capacity of 23.7 MW, it is a small-scale plant typical for remote mining operations. It uses natural gas, which has lower emissions than coal but higher than renewables.