Hawsons Iron Ltd. announced that the South Australian Government has declared the proposed high-grade magnetite Hawsons Iron Project an Impact Assessed major project subject to a state-run process and determination of assessment requirements towards Environmental Impact Statement obligations. A development proposal can be declared as an impact assessed development in South Australia by the Minister for Planning if it is considered to be of economic, social or environmental importance to the State. Managing Director Bryan Granzien welcomed the declaration by South Australia's Minister for Planning, the Honourable Nick Champion MP, in response to the Company's recent application given the range of significant economic, social and environmental impacts to be assessed. Mr. Champion advised by letter that Hawsons' next step would be to lodge a formal development
application with supporting information. The South Australian declaration follows the Federal Government's decision in April to renew the project's status as a Major Project for three more years in recognition of its potential to supply high- grade quality magnetite for the production of low emissions steel. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has also similarly declared the project a State Significant Development.