The Environmental Performance Annual Report by the independent monitor (IM) for McArthur River Mine has been publicly released today.

The report covers the environmental performance of McArthur River Mining Pty Ltd (MRM) and the performance of the Department of Primary Industry and Resources (DPIR), as the government regulator, over the period October 2016 to March 2018.

DPIR Manager Mining Operations Andria Handley said the department took its role as a regulator very seriously and ensured the company operated in accordance with its approved Mine Management Plan (MMP).

“The department has been working diligently to ensure McArthur River Mine meets its environmental obligations under the Mining Management Act,” Dr Handley said.

“The department acknowledges and accepts the recommendations made in the 2018 IM report and will use them to further strengthen our regulatory practices.

“The IM identified administrative enhancements DPIR could develop to ensure its regulatory operation is more efficient, and we will work to implement these improvements for MRM and other Northern Territory mine sites where appropriate.

 “The department is committed to continuing regular site inspections and providing feedback on areas for improvement to MRM,” Dr Handley said.

The independent monitor travelled to Borroloola yesterday to discuss the report’s findings with the Borroloola community prior to briefing key stakeholders in Darwin today.

The appointment of an independent monitor for the life of the mine was a condition of the October 2006 approval of MRM’s open-cut expansion project. The ERIAS Group was appointed the independent monitor for a five-year period in 2013.

Copies of the independent monitor’s Environmental Performance Annual Report and Community Report for 2016, and DPIR and MRM’s response reports are available on the independent monitor’s website, www.mrmindependentmonitor.com.au, and the DPIR website, www.dpir.nt.gov.au.