Tarkine mine approval reduces threat to Tasmanian devil, says Mark Butler A CONTROVERSIAL new mine proposed for the Tarkine has been given federal approval after a court last month rejected the project over fears for the local population of the endangered Tasmanian devil. Environment Minister Mark Butler has granted Shree Minerals Limited approval to proceed with the $20 million iron ore mine affecting an area of 152 hectares at Nelson Bay River in northwestern Tasmania. But Mr Butler says the approval is subject to 30 strict conditions. The green light comes just over a month after the Federal Court overturned an earlier approval, with a judge ruling former environment minister Tony Burke failed to give "genuine consideration" to conservation advice on the endangered Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian Minerals Council - backed by state Labor and federal Braddon Labor MP Sid Sidebottom - immediately called on Mr Butler to issue a fresh approval, citing the devil advice. Mr Butler now says he has considered the impact the mine could have on a number of listed threatened flora and fauna species, including the devil. He says the conditions imposed, particularly on traffic in and around the mine site, would reduce any negative impacts on local species. "I am confident that these conditions will greatly reduce any threat by vehicles to wildlife covered by the commonwealth legislation, including the Tasmanian Devil," he said in a statement. Home to Australia's largest tract of temperate rainforest, the Tarkine includes some of the last devil populations free of the facial tumour disease driving the iconic marsupial towards extinction in the wild. The government says Shree must also "make a substantial contribution" to Tasmania's ongoing efforts to protect the devil, including $350,000 into research on the disease. The company must also pay around $50,000 to a rehabilitation program for every devil it kills above two every year. Similar conditions designed to protect the spot-tailed quoll will also be imposed. As well as opposition from environmentalists, the divisive project has seen pro-mining rallies draw thousands to the streets in Tasmania's northwest. The Labor Party both locally and federally supports mining in the region, arguing it will affect just one per cent of the Tarkine. Mr Butler said he consulted extensively with the local Aboriginal community and both opponents and supporters of the project before making his decision.