‘Keeping the public safe’: $5.5m works on Tennant Creek mines now complete

The CLP has spent the first six months in power filling some gaps, literally, with the completion of a $5.5m legacy mine remediation project in Tennant Creek. Find out what was done.

Before and after remediation works at the Great Western mine, one of several legacy mine projects in Tennant Creek. Picture: Supplied

The CLP has spent the first six months in power filling some gaps, literally, with the completion of a $5.5m legacy mine remediation project in Tennant Creek.

More than 260 legacy mine features including degrading infrastructure and open shafts were remediated during the program, many of which range between 50 to 80-years-old and could cause significant risks to public safety.

Minister for mining and energy Gerard Maley said the government was committed to protecting communities and supporting regional economies – by creating regional employment opportunities – through remediating legacy mine sites.

“Mining has been an integral part of the Northern Territory’s history for more than 150 years, but historical mining activities have left behind a range of legacy features such as open shafts, degraded infrastructure, tailings dams, and waste rock dumps,” he said.

“The safety program we’ve delivered in Tennant Creek is addressing these risks by remediating over 260 legacy mine features, keeping the public safe and providing significant local employment opportunities for Territorians.

Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley recently visited the Beetaloo to inspect current operations. Picture: File

“This is about delivering on-the-ground results for regional and remote areas, with real benefits for local communities.”

Darwin-based civil engineers DAC Enterprises was awarded $4m to deliver the Tennant Creek Project – the largest contract awarded by the Northern Territory government’s mines unit.

In total, 19 local businesses in Tennant Creek were used throughout the program, six new jobs were created, and four Aboriginal workers were employed.

Member for Barkly, Steve Edgington, said the program had been great for the region, creating more local jobs and supporting businesses.

“The work done through the legacy mine program shows how investment in regional communities can pay off,” he said.

“These jobs and business opportunities are essential for Tennant Creek and the Barkly region, and I look forward to seeing more of these projects roll out across the Territory.”

With the Tennant Creek remediation work now complete, planning is underway for the next phase of works in Alice Springs and Pine Creek under the Legacy Mines Small Mines Safety Program.

A tender for small mine safety works around Alice Springs is expected to be released in the coming months, with works planned to commence later in 2025.

Legacy mine audits in the Katherine and Darwin regions are also progressing.

Originally published as ‘Keeping the public safe’: $5.5m works on Tennant Creek mines now complete