The establishment of a significant magnetite iron ore industry in the Mid West might have industry and political forces hot under the collar, but the research from Curtin University is a cold splash in the face.
The banded iron formations are located in the "southwest" cluster of the Mid West and is one of the largest iron deposits in the world.
It has long been a dream that the region could be developed as a magnetite province to rival the hematite industry to the north.
However, while the economic and industrial opportunities are becoming increasingly attractive to iron ore miners, a Curtin study revealed up to three quarters of the biodiversity in the region would be "difficult or impossible" to rehabilitate.
The research, published in journal Ecology and Evolution, found plant ecosystems across the banded iron formations were "very different" from other mined landscapes.
The plant ecosystems are well-adapted to the characteristics of the ancient and nutrient-poor soils but are different to those in the hematite rich north because they survive on elevated surfaces.
This elevation is key in that they have become a "sponge for biodiversity" in an otherwise dry, mostly flat landscape.
Lead researcher Dr Adam Cross, who wrote the paper, said the mining industry would struggle significantly to rehabilitate the region, if it were ever to be mined.
"Unfortunately, the chemical characteristics of some tailings and other by-products produced by mines can be more similar to material on the moon than to the ancient, highly weathered soils of the banded iron formation," Cross said.
"This presents a really challenging, hostile environment for many native plant species."
Cross said the banded iron formation of the Mid West was a "stunning natural museum" of unique florist biodiversity where unique species found nowhere else resided.
"These collections of species have accumulated over very long periods of time, and the increased pressure to mine the banded iron formation is putting the biodiversity at risk," he said.
"Once the banded iron formations are gone, that's it - we cannot recreate these iconic landforms."
The research suggested that even if miners successfully recreated the banded iron formation hills and outcrops, they would not support most of the unique species.
As part of the study, Cross and his team at Curtin University looked at 538 plant species in an 82,000 hectare area of the banded iron formations.
The research was funded by the Centre for Mine Site Restoration at the university.
The full paper Calcicole-calcifuge plant strategies limit restoration potential in a regional semi-arid Flora can be found online here.
The warning from Curtin University comes a consortium of miners and gas businesses look to unlock the magnetite resources in the region.
While it is no secret that not all iron ore is created equal, magnetite iron ore projects are gaining traction, all thanks to all-time high commodity prices.
That has led to renewed enthusiasm for major magnetite projects in the region. For instance, earlier this year, Surefire Resources announced it would fast-track its magnetite project in Perejori.
It is currently undertaking a high-grade iron ore production study on its Perejori Iron ore Project which holds over 191.7 million tonnes of magnetite.
However, additional tenements near to it which could be incorporated into a development have the potential to host a further 500Mt but need further defining.
Cashmere Iron and Anglo American are seeking to develop the Cashmere Downs magnetite project, shrugging off concerns about the low-grade iron factor.
Cashmere Downs is estimated to hold over 1 billion tonnes of magnetite and hematite.
Two gas companies - Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, and Mid West LNG - hope to provide gas to proposed iron ore mines in the region.
About five years ago the WA Environmental Protection Authority knocked back plans for two magnetite mines in the Mid West banded iron formation.
It rejected two of Polaris Metals' open pit plans in the Helena-Aurora Range about 500km north east of Perth.
