Full report into McArthur River Mine released

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has praised itself and the McArthur River mine for a 'high level of regulatory compliance'. 

ENVIRONMENT Centre NT has reacted angrily after the full report into the McArthur River Mine was released on Tuesday, claiming its independence has been compromised. 

A summary of the report last month gave the mine the tick of approval but recommended a number of changes to improve environmental compliance. 

The full report, released on Tuesday, was welcomed by both the mine's operators and the Department overseeing it, who released a joint statement after its release. 

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade chief executive Anne Tan said there was a "high level of regulatory compliance" in McArthur's operations. 

“In fact, the department received a 100 per cent compliance score against conditions of Authorisation in relation to the Overburden Management Project, indicating that the department is directing effort to activities which have the highest potential environmental risks," Ms Tan said.

In the same statement as DITT, McArthur River Mining general manager said the report showed that "the river is healthy and fish are safe to eat".

Environment Centre NT co-director Kirsty Howey said the report was nothing more than "an expensive box ticking exercise".

“If you read the fine print of the scant information that is available in the report, it is clear that there are glaring holes in the risk assessment process undertaken by Glencore," Ms Howey said.

“The biggest risk of all – that the McArthur River will re-divert and take back its old course causing the collapse of the mine wall and the destruction of the McArthur River, isn’t even mentioned."

Ms Howey said it would  be "understandable" for Borroloola locals to be worried about environmental risks posed by the mine. 

APRIL 4: The latest report card into McArthur River Mine and the Territory Government’s oversight has delivered a tick, but with a number of recommendations on how environmental compliance can be improved.

Published this morning by the independent Monitor, the report concludes the McArthur River and its creeks are in good health, local fish are safe to eat and the mine’s environmental and performance can be attributed to its relationship with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT).

The report card assesses the mine and the department’s environmental performance in the 12 months to April 30, 2021.

The report marked the mine at 96 per cent for mining authorisation compliance and 98 per cent for waste discharge license compliance, while the department scored 95 per cent for mining authorisation compliance and 97 per cent compliance with EPA recommendations.

Compared to the 2020 report, McArthur River’s high-compliance score improved marginally to 96 per cent while the department’s declined two percentage points to 95 per cent.

The report also identified a suite of “opportunities” – 43, up by 13 from last year – to improve systems in mine monitoring and management.

They included improving water sampling and recording during water release, better tracking of voluntary environmental commitments and improved aligning of the mine’s list of water storage places with actual site operations.

Twenty seven “opportunities” are identified for the department – the same as last year – including the provision of better track information by the mine to the department, a request for the department’s environmental monitoring unit to inspect the mine in 2022, progress establishment of a panel of experts and streamline the annual review process.

The McArthur River Mine has been given the stamp of approval. Picture: Shane Eecen.

However, the department scored 88 per cent for water management.

The monitor recommends it can be addressed by obtaining surface water dam construction reports, with data signed off by the independent certifying engineer.

The department also scored 95 per cent for general compliance and 96 per cent for environmental and independent monitoring.

The report also concluded there was no change in the river system’s health from the previous year and river monitoring showed the same numbers and types of freshwater animals living in the McArthur River system.

It also found the river and creeks were in good condition and there is “extremely low risk” to human health from eating monitored species in the river catchment, either up or downstream from the mine.

However, river and fish monitoring identified metal levels, exceeding those allowed by Australian Food Standards, in freshwater bony bream and rainbow fish in Barney Creek.

Water testing is carried out at the mine site. Picture: Shane Eecen.

But they were taken from within the mining lease boundary near mining activity, which has restricted access.

The report suggested the eating of muscles should be limited because of naturally recurring metal levels in them across the region.

The mine’s acting general manager Adam Hatfield said the report card reflected ongoing progress over recent years.

“I’m very proud of the achievements we’ve made and we remain focused on making a significant and responsible contribution to the Territory, both socially and economically, while minimising our impacts on the environment,” Mr Hatfield said.

“We will continue ensuring our operations are safe and our potential environmental risks are managed.

“We will also continue to be open and transparent with the community about our environmental and operational performance.”

He committed to increasing Indigenous employment, which is currently at 24 per cent and working with traditional owners to secure an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.