NT mining industry backs plans to cut project approval times

THE peak body representing the NT mining industry has backed the Federal Government’s plans to cut complex project approval time from years to months

Mining operations at ERA's Ranger uranium mine ... the NT mining industry has backed plans to cut project approval times. Picture: ERA

THE peak body representing the mining industry in the Northern Territory says the Federal Government is on the right track with plans to cut complex project approval time from years to months.

Minerals Council of Australia NT chief executive officer Drew Wagner said the minerals sector has long advocated for a more time and cost effective way of projects gaining approvals.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the government will create a single digital environmental approvals process to push a large pipeline of major projects forward over the next 10 years.

Mr Morrison said the Federal Government is focused on ending obstacles that slowed down or stopped business investment and job creation.

“Our deregulation agenda has a laser focus on reducing the regulatory compliance burden on business,” Morrison says.

Mr Wagner said any move to reduce the time and cost of these approvals will assist the Northern Territory mining sector in developing mineral assets on behalf of all Territorians.

“It will lead to jobs and economic stimulation both during the construction and operational phases of the projects,” he said.

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“The sector would never wish to see the validity of the process reduced, but firmly believe that efficiencies can be gained through more streamlined processes and risk based assessment.

Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable says the Federal Government’s new measures are positive steps towards a more certain and timely approvals process.

She says the current review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and the Productivity Commission’s review provide further opportunities to the Federal Government to act “so Australia’s minerals industry can provide more sustainable, highly-skilled jobs and support stronger regional communities.”