Early in the development of the Kathleen Valley Lithium Project, Liontown conducted environmental surveys in alignment with project approvals, which also enabled us to develop strategies to reduce the impacts on our environment while supporting the movement towards a lower carbon future.

By collaborating with our partner, Zenith Energy, we have worked to minimise our impacts at the wind farm. This has involved reducing our clearing footprints, the deployment of monitoring equipment and the inclusion of design features such as remote turbine control.

Powering our Kathleen Valley operation with renewable energy was a priority for us as it would lower our carbon footprint. However, with the operation of a wind farm comes the potential for an impact on bird and bat populations in the area which we set out to manage to the best of our abilities. One conservation-significant species, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) with a known broad habitat range, was recorded south of the Project area during the surveys. No bats were recorded.

Although no bats were recorded during these surveys, bat detectors were installed at the wind farm to enable us to monitor potential activity in the area. Based on the outcomes of further monitoring, Liontown will look to engage turbine design features such as the ability to reduce blade speeds and shut down independent turbines as part of its adaptive management approach to minimise direct impacts to bird and bat species during breeding seasonings or migratory events, should it be required.

Gathering data provides Liontown with an opportunity to work collaboratively with regulators, researchers, and experts to help develop best practice guidelines for the industry. Liontown will share its findings with Zenith, neighbouring mines and local knowledge holders. Through a stronger understanding of the natural world, we can work to improve the outcomes for species within the wider region.