Homeowners residing near the Greenbushes hard-rock lithium mine in Western Australia's South West region are requesting that the mine operator purchase their properties or offer relocation. Residents in Greenbushes, 240 kilometers south of Perth, have reported difficulties coexisting with the mine due to regular blasting, dust, and noise.
Mine Operations and Community Impact
The Greenbushes mine, owned by Talison Lithium (a Sino-American company), is a significant global supplier. It provides nearly 20% of the world's hard-rock lithium, which is essential for the energy transition.
Residents, including Trevor Stallard, who has lived in Greenbushes for 39 years and worked at the mine for 15, cite ongoing disruptions.
"Constant noise, dust, traffic early in the morning," and "tremors twice a day."
Another resident, Rick Fryer, stated that the mine's current operational scale differs significantly from when he moved to the town 15 years prior.
A mining blast on January 11 was described by residents as particularly significant, reverberating across the town. Talison Lithium confirmed this blast recorded 124 linear decibels (dBL), exceeding the mine's Sunday noise limit of 120 dBL.
This was reported as the company's first airblast limit breach since license conditions were set in 2015. The company stated that typical blasts measure around 100 dBL, making the January 11 incident "considerably more noticeable." Investigations attributed the breach to a routine "pre-split" blast technique.
Resident Concerns and Demands
Residents have reported that repeated vibrations from blasts have caused damage to their homes, including cracked ceilings and drywalls. Some have also reported health issues such as persistent coughs and watering eyes, alongside the inconvenience of white dust accumulating on cars and homes.
These impacts are perceived by some residents to have intensified since the mine's approved production capacity increased to 2.8 million tonnes of lithium concentrate annually in 2019.
Residents are seeking a voluntary home buyback or relocation scheme. Mr. Stallard noted that locals feel "trapped" by a comparatively slow property market in Greenbushes. The median house price there is $395,000, significantly lower than Balingup (11km away) at $595,000.
Talison Lithium's Response and Future Plans
Talison Lithium acknowledged the January 11 breach and stated it has implemented several changes to its blasting procedures. The company affirmed its commitment "to do better and be a good neighbour," recognizing that some impacts are inherent to mining.
Following community feedback last year, Talison introduced measures such as:
- Real-time public dust monitoring.
- Expanded dust suppression efforts.
- Noise reduction on haul trucks.
The company reported that dust level exceedances attributed to the mine decreased from eight incidents in 2024 to four in the previous year. Talison is also rebuilding Stanifer Street, a main route for haul trucks through the town. While considering traffic diversion away from the town, this option was not pursued due to design challenges and potential new impacts.
Talison Lithium plans to operate for "decades to come" and has indicated that developing a shared community vision will involve "meaningful consultation." The company states that:
"Nothing should be ruled out" regarding future recommendations.
The company's CEO, Rob Telford, appointed in late 2024, has expressed an aim for the mine to set a benchmark for transparency and community engagement. The company has publicly expressed "deep regret" for its impacts.
Mr. Fryer has stated that the company needs to address its impacts more effectively. Mr. Stallard believes that managing the effects of such a large-scale mining operation in a small community is inherently difficult.