How we plan and develop our projects

Mitsui E&P Australia’s philosophy is to engage early and often. We commit ourselves to communicating extensively with local stakeholders because we want to be open and transparent about what we’re doing. We also have confidence in the safety of our operations.

Our company considers the life-cycle of a project from the initial planning phase through to development and decommissioning to ensure environmental, health and safety, community and business factors are addressed and that each of our projects is undertaken safely and responsibly.

Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) understands the high value placed on the environment of the Mid West by landowners, community members and other stakeholders. We are committed to protecting these values, and undertake rigorous risk assessments as part of project planning and in preparation for seeking project approvals.

Our company prepares approvals documentation in accordance with legislated approvals processes administered by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, the Environmental Protection Authority and other government agencies.

Before MEPAU begins a proposal to develop a project we complete the following:

A comprehensive risk assessment
Engage with our stakeholders
Maintain communication and transparency

Project planning

A comprehensive risk assessment is undertaken to identify all of the potential impacts a project may have on an area, then we proceed to understand how these can be effectively managed by implementing protection measures. If science tells us that a risk can’t be managed then the outcome is simple, that particular project is no longer an option.

Potential key issues and impacts which are identified during the project planning phase:

Surface water	Study catchment. Design project to manage erosion and runoff. Ongoing monitoring.
Groundwater	Study aquifers, monitor and manage.
Chemicals	Stored on-site safely according to regulations. Make disclosure information about down-hole chemicals and substances publicly available.
Conservation	Conservation values investigated and considered throughout project planning. Dieback/weed hygiene highest priorities.
Aboriginal heritage	Surveys conducted during project planning. Traditional Owners involved in monitoring ground works to ensure conservation of any heritage values.
Traffic	Managed so minimal increases during peak work periods.
Air quality	Potential emission sources identified and equipment maintained to reduce any emissions.
Noise	Generally minimal due to rural area and generally isolated sites.
Fire	Firefighting equipment on site with staff trained in firefighting techniques. All equipment hazard zone rated for drilling operations. Gas detection on site.
Rehabilitation	Sites rehabilitated to landowners’ requirements or agreed post-activity land use.

Engage with our stakeholders

Our stakeholders may be members of the community such as landowners, traditional owners on whose land we operate or shire residents. They also include relevant regulators and decision makers.

Maintain communication and transparency

Beyond initial discussions, we continue to maintain open communication with stakeholders about our activities as they develop.

More recently, to increase the level of engagement between MEPAU and residents of the Shire of Irwin even further, we have been sponsoring an independently facilitated Community Roundtable with in-kind support from the Shire. Participants in the roundtable workshops include local residents, local business owners, local landowners, regulators, shire councillors and staff as well as MEPAU personnel.

This Group operates independently of our company, although MEPAU does provide information specifically requested by the Group and, like a number of other stakeholders, including regulators and subject matter experts, participates in the group by invitation.