[1] BHP planned to start mining at Yeelirrie by 2014, producing approximately 80 tonnes (0.18 million pounds) of uranium oxide per week.

Ore would be treated on site and then transported by road to Kalgoorlie, from where it would be railed to either South Australia or the Northern Territory, where there are established facilities to store and export uranium oxides.

[8] In February 2011, an environmental impact survey found a total of 143 species from 70 genera were recorded, most of which were widespread and common in the region.

One of these species, now known as Atriplex yeelirrie, was declared threatened[9][10] and has a highly restricted distribution, only found in two known locations, approximately 30 km apart.

The north western population (of an estimated 84,510 individuals) is located on ground that coincides with the central part of the proposed open pit mine.

[14] An application to invalidate the decision was lodged by the Environmental Defenders Office on behalf of the Conservation Council of Western Australia and a small number of traditional owners.