New State Explosives Facility in Myalup officially opens

  • New McLarty facility has 36 explosives storage and manufacturing sites
  • Uptake of sites has surpassed expectations
  • Explosives are used for drilling and blasting on Western Australian mine sites 
  • The McGowan Government is pleased to announce the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s (DMIRS) McLarty State Explosives Facility is open for business.

    Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston officially opened the new explosives facility in Myalup on Tuesday (April 16).

    There are 36 explosives storage and manufacturing sites at the new facility, and so far 19 have been leased and one is managed by DMIRS, with construction underway at all sites.

    A further 14 have strong commitments for development and two remain unallocated.

    The McLarty State Explosives Facility replaces the Baldivis Explosives Reserve, which is expected to be handed back to LandCorp in June this year.

    Explosives storage facilities are important infrastructure for the State’s mining sector.

    They provide highly secure areas and suitable locations for the storage and manufacture of packaged explosives, including fireworks.

    As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:

    “It’s pleasing to see that overall take up of sites has surpassed expectations with a good mix of local, interstate and international companies using the new facility.

    “All available sites are expected to be occupied by the end of 2019 and there is already potential to expand the reserve to the south.

    “With about $113 billion of resource projects in the pipeline, the McGowan Government is committed to supporting growth of the resources sector and explosives storage facilities play a vital role in the industry.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.