Managing Mining Legacies in the Northern Territory

Transcription

1 International Summit on Derelict Mines Singleton NSW 6 th to 8 th December 2016 Managing Mining Legacies in the Northern Territory Mike Fawcett Director Mining Remediation DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND RESOURCES

2 This Presentation: Short Background Levy & Fund Legacy Mines Unit Inventory Safety Works Longer Term Activities Stakeholders Remote Locations Preventing Future Legacies

3 Why are Legacy Mines an issue for the Northern Territory? The Northern Territory has a number of significant legacy aspects on mine sites which pose a risk to the natural environment and human safety. Most of these legacy sites were created before 2005 and pre-dated the Northern Territory Government s policy of requiring operators to lodge a 100% rehabilitation security bond. Currently the estimated level of legacy mining liabilities for the Northern Territory is in excess of $1 billion. What has the Northern Territory done about this? In 2013 the Mining Management Act was revised to require all operators to pay a 1% levy on their security. The objective of the levy is to generate the necessary funds to begin addressing historical mining impacts.

4 Amendments to the Mining Management Act (MMA) There are two important sections: 1. Introduction of the 1% Levy. 2. Creation of the Mining Remediation Fund Purpose of the Levy - S44A(2)(b) of the MMA for the effective administration of this Act in relation to minimising or rectifying environmental harm caused by mining activities. Purpose of the Fund - S46B(1) of the MMA The purpose of the Fund is to hold money in trust to be used by the Agency in connection with minimising or rectifying environmental harm caused by unsecured mining activities.

5 Amendments to the Mining Management Act (MMA) The Levy is calculated at 1% of the Security held for a site It is to be paid annually in cash. For example if a site has a security of $100 million then it is required to pay $1 million per annum in cash. At least 33% of the money collected by the Levy must be paid into the Mining Remediation Fund.

6 This allowed for the formation of the Legacy Mine Unit (LMU)

7 Legacy Mine Unit (LMU) Legacy Mines Unit The Legacy Mines Unit was fully staffed by early LMU is supported by other teams within the Mining Remediation Division including the Technical Support, Environmental Monitoring Units and Compliance and Titles Divisions. Current Staffing Four dedicated team members: Manager Legacy Mines Unit Senior Environmental Advisor Senior Environmental Engineer Support Officer LMU sits within the Mining Remediation Division reporting to the Director Mining Remediation. The team is made up of diverse backgrounds, including geotechnical engineering, contaminated land assessment, mine closure, costing assessments, spatial science, environmental management and project management.

8 Figure supplied by C. Unger

9 Northern Territory Mineral Occurrence Database - MODAT Over 3,100 Occurrences recorded

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11 3 Sites have now had their leases surrendered Woolwonga Goodall Redbank

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13 Inventory The first key project for the LMU is to compile an inventory of legacy sites across the Northern Territory. This information, along with a review of existing documentation, will be used to develop a legacy sites inventory. When the inventory is completed, a risk based approach will be adopted to identify high risk sites. The inventory and associated risk based assessment will be used to prioritise future activities.

14 Safety Works Early priority on safety works. Focussing on human safety around historic workings. Consisting of shaft capping, backfilling or fencing. 5 Projects completed to date.

15 Safety Works

16 Safety Works

17 Longer term activities Developing Site Management Plans. Investigations towards remediation of Redbank. Investigations relating to management of Goodall & Woolwonga Whole of catchment monitoring to assess cumulative impacts. Peko dust investigation. Preparing for ongoing contracts for shaft capping & drill hole plugging.

18 Example of Longer term activities Peko Dust Scope of Works prepared and tender awarded for the investigation of possible human health impacts resulting from windborne dust originating from the Peko tailings. Study is expected to take 2 years and cost approx. $200K to complete. Outcome will be to determine with confidence whether dust originating from Peko tailings is, or has the potential to impact on human health. DME does not have any evidence of health impacts.

19 Community Engagement/Stakeholder Consultation Process Many of the legacy sites are located on Aboriginal Land, stakeholder consultation is a key and vital component to the success of the LMU. LMU identified the importance of engaging with the TOs of legacy sites prior to works commencing. Consulting with traditional Aboriginal owners during recent Redbank Working Group meeting

20 Local Development & Indigenous Participation Local development and value adding strategy: 40% weighting for value adding and local development in most tenders. Seek details on local and Indigenous involvement in all bids. Engage with Indigenous contractors and Traditional Owners prior to issuing tenders to market. Encourage partnerships between Indigenous and non-indigenous businesses. Statistics on local companies and Indigenous employment kept for all tenders.

21 The Challenge Remote Sites & Climate To meet the challenges posed by remote and often inaccessible locations, LMU has launched a program of installing remote environmental monitoring infrastructure at a number of sites. Commencing in early 2014, monitoring equipment has now been installed at four sites across the Northern Territory, with plans for further sites over the next 12 months. These efficiencies allow the LMU to undertake activities that may not otherwise be possible while saving significant man hours and costs. High quality continuous data is now able to be collected giving us unprecedented insights into site performance over the wet-season. A major benefit of moving to remote monitoring is improved safety for unit staff, with the risk of being stranded by floodwaters, crocodile danger and extended vehicle trips in wet season conditions being significantly reduced.

22 The Challenge Remote Sites & Climate

23 Turning Legacies and Liabilities into Opportunities and Assets Strategies for Preventing Future Legacies in the NT 100% Security New Security Calculation Tool Titles not transferred without replacement 100% security. New Mine Closure Guidelines Early planning Adequate characterisation Stakeholder involvement Regular revision Review of Care & Maintenance

24 Thank You Questions?