Private mines could face tougher environment approvals under amendments to the Mining Act

The 222 private mines dotted across the state are given special treatment – but that could be about to change.

Private mines would be forced to take better care of the environment and consider their neighbours under proposed changes to the state’s Mining Act.

The 222 mines dotted across South Australia predate the Act of 1971 and, in many cases, they were well established before neighbours moved in, so they are treated differently under law.

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Unlike other mines, private mines do not have to consider their impact on the surrounding areas’ aesthetic, cultural and geological heritage values, or land uses, in their operation plans.

Greens MLC Robert Simms says it’s “outrageous that we have more than 200 private mines operating in South Australia that are not subject to appropriate regulation”.

“I think members of the community would be horrified to realise that there aren’t these appropriate protections in place,” he said.

His amendment would also insert a requirement that mine operations plans “address the impact of mining operations carried out at the private mine on the health and safety of persons in the vicinity”.

Local residents and members of the group Residents Against White Rock Quarry. Demetrios (Jim) Bastiras (centre) in Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, which looks over the expanding Hanson White Rock Quarry. Picture: Russell Millard

Mr Simms first became aware of the issue through discussions with Residents Against White Rock Quarry at Horsnell Gully, who raised many concerns about Hanson Australia’s expansion plans.

The upper house recently called on the state government to reject expansion plans for the White Rock Quarry at Horsnell Gully until residents, the government and the Environment Protection Authority can be assured there will be no impact on the nearby natural environment and community amenity.

“Really the White Rock Quarry expansion is the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Simms said. “I mean, this could be coming to a neighbourhood near you.”

Unlike other mines, a private mine cannot be fortified, relinquished, suspended or cancelled and it does not expire.

Royalty returns to the state suggest 186 private mines are currently active, while 86 are lying dormant but could be reactivated at any time.

At Carey Gully, residents have banded together to fight against “unbearable” noise pollution from the 6.65ha quarry, which expanded after it was sold in 2014. The Energy and Mining Department recorded excessive noise levels during testing earlier this year, but that result is in dispute.

The residents also said “the entire hillside disappeared” after new owners took over, giving scant regard to the aesthetic values of the area.

“All we see now when we look out is a quarry, it’s expanded quite a lot in the last three years,” said one resident, who did not wish to be named.

“We used to see the very low small rock face and the rest of the hill was covered by trees, now the trees are just right on the top of the hill and the whole face is exposed.”

Views of Carey Gully Quarry, which is owned by Basket Range Sandstone. Aerial shots from Google Earth show houses nearby.

Quarry operator Neil Mullard said the mine had been there longer than any of the neighbours but he was working very hard to minimise impacts.

“Adelaide will not survive if we close down all the periurban quarries, we’ll suffer from a shortage of building materials and a huge increase in costs,” he added.

The State Government had recently updated the Mining Act to better align private mines with other projects, “whilst recognising the unique historic circumstances”, a spokesman said.

“The regulators, the Department of Energy and Mining and the Environment Protection Authority, are already required to address any potential impacts of mining operations at private mines on the health and safety those in the vicinity when considering proposals and regulating existing mines,” he added.