McArthur River Mine cost to be revealed after NT civil and administrative tribunal decision

A LEGAL ruling could finally reveal how much Glencore has paid in a security bond for its McArthur River Mine site, after a long court process

Aerial shot of McArthur River mine

A LEGAL ruling could finally reveal how much Glencore has paid in a security bond for its McArthur River Mine site, after a long court process.

Traditional owners have questioned for some time if Glencore paid the NT Government enough in the security bond to cover remedial costs on contaminated land near the mine site.

The original bond was valued at $111 million in 2015, when the company was pushed to increase the value by the previous CLP government. The government would not reveal then what the value they determined to be “significant” was. Some estimate the clean up could cost $1 billion.

The new amount could be revealed in September if no objections over the NT civil and administrative tribunal’s decision are raised.

Glencore previously fought to keep the amount secret. They said yesterday they are considering the decision.

A Government spokesman said they would be happy to reveal the total and will do so if Glencore doesn’t appeal the ruling.

“The NT Government will abide by the decision of the NTCAT and will release the information following the 60 day stay period,” he said.

Environmental Defenders Office principal lawyer David Morris launched the court action on behalf of Borroloola resident Jacky Green.

“We have always thought it clear that information of this kind should be available to the public. What our client wanted was the figure that the minister (at the time) decided was adequate to protect the public for future rehabilitation costs, which might end up being borne by the taxpayer and, as history shows, often are.”

The mine has come under controversy in the past 12 months amid allegations by workers they were exposed to toxic smoke for up to two years before safety measures were implemented to protect them.

In April, it was revealed Glencore paid no royalties to the NT Government for its 2015 operations at the site.