The Northern Territory Government has lodged a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the rehabilitation of the former Rum Jungle Mine site. Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to comment on the draft EIS during a six-week period from 25 January to 6 March 2020.
The primary objective is to create a safe and stable environment onsite, and reduce environmental impacts downstream. This includes supporting and improving terrestrial and aquatic environmental values downstream of the site within the East Branch of the Finniss River.
The proposal is being assessed by the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) and the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy under the Environmental Assessment Act 1982 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) respectively.
Community consultation is an important part of the environmental assessment process. The draft EIS is available on the NT EPA website and hard copies will also be made available at a number of locations.
Completion of the EIS assessment is required to commence the proposed Stage 3 rehabilitation project. In addition to the EIS, several land use agreements and other approvals are also required to support a detailed business case which is to be submitted to the Australian Government as part of its consideration of funding Stage 3 rehabilitation work.
The EIS forms part of a bilateral agreement between the Australian and Northern Territory Governments for the management of the former Rum Jungle Mine site (Stage 2A). The Stage 2A agreement signalled the final stages of research and development of the project design for Stage 3.
Comments by the public on the draft EIS are welcome and can be submitted to the NT EPA via email eia.ntepa@nt.gov.au or post GPO Box 3675, Darwin NT 0801. All submissions will be treated as public documents unless confidentiality is requested.
Ongoing rehabilitation of mining legacies across the Territory is a priority, reflecting government’s commitment to sustainable resource development.
Media contact: Karin Steenkamp 0438 455 536