Media Release
Northern Territory Government
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade Release of Independent Monitor’s Report
3 May 2022
The Northern Territory Government has today released the Independent Monitor’s Audit Report on the environmental performance of the McArthur River Mine for the 2021 period as part of its commitment to robust regulatory practices and sustainable development.
The role of the Independent Monitor is:
· to assess whether the operator, McArthur River Mining Pty Ltd (MRM), is meeting the conditions put on them by the government to protect the environment, and
· to assess how well the regulator, the NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, is ensuring the mine is following the rules.
A condition of the mine’s expansion in 2006 was the appointment of an Independent Monitor.
The Independent Monitor, Advisian Pty Ltd, presented the findings of its report to key stakeholders in the Borroloola community during the last week of March.
The report includes the Annual Environmental Performance Audit Report (AEPAR) and summary Annual Report Card. The report covers the operating period 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021.
Findings of the report include the following:
· a high level of overall performance by both the operator and regulator achieving compliance scores above 95% across conditions of Authorisation, Waste Discharge Licence conditions and NT EPA recommendations
· achievement of a 100% compliance score by the department against conditions of Authorisation in relation to the Overburden Management Project
· risk management processes and frameworks in place by MRM and approved by the department are comprehensive and appropriate in accordance with the international risk standard ISO 31000
· operator and regulator are directing efforts appropriately and efficiently to address environmental risks
· the actions of the operator and regulator have protected the health of the McArthur River from mine related impacts.
The next audit covering the period May 2021 to April 2022 has commenced, with the next Annual Environmental Performance Audit Report (AEPAR) and Annual Report Card to be submitted to the Minister around October 2022.
The Independent Monitor’s Audit Report, the Annual Report Card, and the responses from MRM and the department are available online from 3 May 2022 (along with all previous reports) at here
Response from Anne Tan, Deputy CEO Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
“The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (the department) administers the Mining Management Act 2001 to manage environmental impacts from mining and to enable the sustainable development of mineral resources for the benefit of all Territorians.
“I am pleased to see continued compliance of the department’s regulatory performance as reported by the Independent Monitor.
“The high level of regulatory compliance by both the operator and the department supports our strong shared commitment to working to develop and implement practical, risk and evidence based conditions to achieve good environmental outcomes on active sites.
“During the review period, the department met its administrative requirements assessing three mining management plan amendments under the Mining Management Act 2001, to facilitate operational continuity at McArthur River Mine and compliance by McArthur River Mining Pty Ltd with its statutory obligations.
“In fact, the department received a 100% compliance score against conditions of Authorisation in relation to the Overburden Management Project, indicating that the department is directing effort to activities which have the highest potential environmental risks.”
Response from Adam Hatfield, General Manager, McArthur River Mining
“We know how important the McArthur River is to people living in the region, so we are pleased that the Independent Monitor has again confirmed that the river is healthy and fish are safe to eat.
“The Independent Monitor’s positive findings about the mine’s environmental performance and continued good health of the McArthur River are testament to the on-going progress the mine has made in recent years and a reflection of the mine’s ongoing commitment to operating responsibly.”
