Grange Resources today received final state environmental approval for its Southdown magnetite iron project and associated pipeline infrastructure near Albany from Environment Minister Donna Faragher.

"This is a significant milestone in the development of Southdown and an important step in the development of Grange's second iron ore export operation. managing director Russell Clark said. Grange expects final federal environmental approval for Southdown soon and also anticipates the state's Environmental Protection Authority to release its recommendation on the expansion of Albany Port.

The Albany Port Authority is seeking to install a separate berth capable of handling Cape Size vessels in order to export Southdown iron ore concentrate for pelletising.

In 2004, Ecologia Environment was commissioned to facilitate the Southdown project’s Public Environmental Review process, develop the required documentation and conduct terrestrial biological surveys.