4 November 2022
Stage 3 of the Rum Jungle Rehabilitation Project has commenced with the Northern Territory Government achieving the first breakthrough, after the Australian Government signed a funding agreement for the project.
This funding is a significant milestone in the project, which seeks to improve the environmental condition of the former Rum Jungle Mine and surrounding area, and empower traditional owners through training and employment opportunities.
The Northern Territory Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is recruiting traditional owners to rehabilitate the site and strengthen cultural connection to land, and is working in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Stage 3 of the Rum Jungle Rehabilitation Project is the implementation phase of physical site works which will include:
groundwater and surface water treatmentbulk earthworks to deconstruct existing waste rock dumps and reform storage facilities for chemically and physically safe long term storageestablish cover systems for new storage facilitiespit backfilling with lime amended rock and establishing cover systemrealignment of water course and installation of erosion and sediment control features including fish passage featuresestablishment, operation and closure of clean fill excavation pitsecological restoration of site and surrounds including revegetation, weed, feral animals and fire managementsupporting management of radiation, safety, environment and cultural requirementspublic road upgrades and modifications to support safety.
Stage 3 implementation works will occur in phases, with physical works already underway. Procurement for the major contracts has commenced with the Future Tender Opportunity released this week.
The former Rum Jungle Mine site is located approximately 105km south of Darwin and 6km north of Batchelor. It was first opened as a mining site in the 1950s.
The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have been working to improve environmental conditions in the region since the 1980s, culminating in the current Rum Jungle Rehabilitation Project which commenced in 2009.
The project has occurred in a series of staged works, which has most recently included empowering 10 Warai and Kungarakan people with conservation and land management skills through a Traineeship with the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade. Of the 10 trainees, 5 are now NT Government employees within the Rum Jungle Project team.
