TheWestern Australian Environmental Protection Authority has recommended theapproval of Mount Gibson IronLtd.'s Iron Hill mine, providing the ASX-listed producer meetsseven strict conditions.  

Thecompany plans to mine iron ore from the Iron Hill and Iron Hill South deposits,located in the Mount Gibson Range, which will add a further two to three yearsto the life of the Extension Hill operation.

TheEPA said July 18 that the conditions include ensuring there are no adverseimpacts on significant flora and vegetation outside the development envelopeand putting in place an offsets plan.

"Incarefully examining this proposal, the EPA considered that given the rare floraspecies and the biodiversity values of the Mount Gibson Range — particularly inthe southern portion of the range known as Mount Gibson, Gibson Hill and MountGibson South — this area should be protected as a class A nature reserve,"EPA Chairman Tom Hatton said.