The Northern Territory Government has announced its Environmental Protection Legislation Amendment (Mining) Bill 2023 has passed through the Parliament, providing enhanced environmental management of mining activities in the State.
The reforms establish a modern, streamlined and efficient structure to promote environmentally sustainable mining in the Territory.
The framework enhances investor confidence, improves environmental outcomes, and boosts community confidence in mining regulation through increased transparency.
The Bill introduces a modern legislative framework for managing mining’s environmental impacts, focusing on risk and outcome-focused regulation.
The Mining Bill introduces a new three-tier risk-based licensing system for managing mining activities, extends existing compliance powers under the EP Act, and incorporates previously managed impacts under a single environmental (mining) licence.
The Legacy Mines Remediation Bill 2023 was passed to establish a new regulatory framework for the Mining Remediation Fund and the payment of the mining remediation levy.
The State Government noted that the Territory now has the most advanced environmental framework for managing mining and legacy mines in the country, ensuring it remains at the forefront of innovation and remediation developments.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden said the reforms will provide sustainability and ecological viability, providing greater clarity on its environmental responsibilities.
“The new legislative framework will increase transparency and accountability of the regulator and mining operators, delivering stronger environmental outcomes in the regulation of mining activities,” Minister Worden stated.
The Northern Territory’s mining industry, worth over $6 billion, is the largest source of income for the Territory and directly employs over 5,000 people.
According to the State Government, the Northern Territory’s resources industry is expected to generate future job opportunities, and the Territory will become a global supplier of critical minerals.
Minister for Mining and Industry Nicole Manison said the mining industry is the most significant contributor to the State’s economy, and the Government aims to make it even bigger, which means new jobs, economic growth, and more investments.
“These changes will help make the Northern Territory a more attractive place for mining investment with a modernised environmental system,” Minister Manison stated.
She added, “These changes mean Territorians can have confidence that mining can take place in a sustainable way with strong environmental protections in place.”
