The Northern Territory Government has introduced mining reforms to the Environment Protection Act 2019 to strengthen the territory’s environmental regulation and management.
The Environmental Protection Legislation Amendment (Mining) Bill 2023 reforms include:
- a new three-tier risk-based licencing system to manage mining activities
- extending existing compliance and enforcement powers under the Environmental Protection Act
- providing for incorporation of impacts previously managed through multiple regulatory approvals, under the one overarching environmental mining licence.
The Bill first opened for public consultation on August 23, and closed on September 18.
“The new legislative framework is set to implement a modern, streamlined and effective system to support the ecologically sustainable development of the mining industry in the Territory,” NT Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Lauren Moss said.
“It will also increase transparency and accountability of the regulator and mining operators, delivering stronger environmental outcomes in the regulation of mining activities. These proposed reforms are critical to ensure we have a robust regulatory system in place for the sustainable development of our mineral resources, thereby protecting the Territory’s unique environment.”
To coincide with the Environmental Protection Legislation Amendment (Mining) Bill 2023 reforms, the NT Government has also introduced the Legacy Mines Remediation Bill 2023.
The Legacy Mines Remediation Bill 2023 seeks to provide a new regulatory framework for the Mining Remediation Fund and the payment of the mining remediation levy. It is currently under review after its public consultation period closed on September 18.
“These reforms ensure we have streamlined environmental assessments system that will give greater certainty to the mining industry and streamline processes to faster approvals,” NT Minister for Mining and Industry Nicole Manison said.
“These changes will help make the Northern Territory a more attractive place for mining investment with a modernised environmental system. These changes mean Territorians can have confidence that mining can take place in a sustainable way with strong environmental protections in place.”
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