The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has completed the environmental impact assessment of KGL Resources Limited Jervois Base Metal Project and concluded it can proceed in an environmentally acceptable manner providing the recommendations made in Assessment Report 90 are implemented.
The Assessment Report 90 has been provided to the Northern Territory Minister for Environment and Natural Resources who will provide it to the Minister for Primary Industry and Resources for consideration in developing conditions and approvals under the Mining Management Act 2001.
KGL Resources Limited proposes to develop and operate the Jervois Base Metal Project on mineral leases on the Jervois and Lucy Creek pastoral stations, approximately 270km north-east of Alice Springs and 18km north-east of Orrtipa-Thurra (Bonya) community.
The proposed mine is a brownfield site previously mined for base metals (copper, lead and zinc) between 1929 and 1983. The proposal consists of a base metals mine and includes a processing plant, a tailings storage facility, a water supply borefield and pipeline, water dams and an accommodation village within a disturbance footprint of 402ha. The proposed mine life is 10 years.
NT EPA Chairman, Dr Paul Vogel, said the NT EPA identified potential significant impacts and risks associated with the extraction of groundwater; the control and management of mining wastes; and early planning for rehabilitation and closure of the site. The NT EPA made 25 comprehensive recommendations to avoid and mitigate these.
“While there is potential for significant environmental impacts to develop over the life of the project, the NT EPA considers that, subject to the implementation of all recommendations, the Proposal can be managed in a manner that is likely to meet the NT EPA’s objectives and avoid significant or unacceptable environmental impacts and risks,” Dr Vogel said.
“Implementation of robust monitoring programs and an appropriate adaptive management framework, will enable identification of changes in environmental conditions and management to adapt and respond to these changes with appropriate mitigation and contingency measures.”
To obtain a copy of the assessment report please visit https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/environmental-assessments/projects-completed
Media Contact – Department of Environment and Natural Resources – 0437 915 366