The annual Independent Monitor’s report on the McArthur River Mine site was yesterday released at a community meeting in Borroloola.

This report and the appointment of the Independent Monitor (IM) is a condition from the October 2006 approval of the MRM’s open-cut expansion project. 

Department of Mines and Energy’s (DME) Mining Directorate’s, Executive Director Phil Hausler said this was the second IM report released by the ERIAS Group, who were appointed to the IM role in 2013.

“The Independent Monitor’s report is a yearly review of the environmental performance of McArthur River Mining Pty Ltd (MRM) and the regulatory performance of DME,” he said.  

“The information provided in the report will be used by the Department of Mines and Energy to implement measures in order to achieve improved environmental outcomes for the site.”

The Northern Territory Government continues to ensure the operators of the McArthur River Mine site meet their obligations under the Mining Management Act.

Mr Hausler said the report had identified complex issues at the mine site and DME and MRM were working towards long term solutions.

“DME has provided stringent conditions to approvals that have allowed MRM to continue to operate without undertaking activities to be included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

“The IM recognises in its report that some improvements in mine site management are following DME instructions such as improved management of the Tailings Storage Facility and cattle management.

"DME has been engaging extensively with MRM over the past 18 months to facilitate continued operations whilst ensuring MRM remains in compliance with the MMA.

“There are many complex issues involved in mining management and DME makes no apologies in taking the necessary time to make the right decisions”.

“DME has already begun acting on issues highlighted in the IM report such as providing additional training for DME staff, the introduction of new field equipment and software to assist in inspections, the commissioning of additional monitoring of fish in the McArthur River and reviewing the authorisation, assessment and approvals processes in order to provide a more robust and streamlined system.”

The Independent Monitor presented his findings to a community meeting in Borroloola yesterday and has also briefed key parties in Darwin today.

Copies of the Independent Monitor’s audit and community reports, and response reports from MRM and Department of Mines and Energy, will be available on-line at the Independent Monitor’s website; www.mrmindependentmonitor.com.au, and on the Department of Mines and Energy website; http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Minerals_Energy/