TOs’ concerns ‘largely ignored’ on McArthur River Mine: Land Council

A DECISION to approve an amendment to the McArthur River Mine’s management plan without a maximum zinc and lead discharge threshold will have negative consequences for downstream traditional owners, the Northern Land Council has warned.

NLC chief executive Marion Scrymgour said the decision was “premature”, saying the NT Environment Protection Authority had warned of “significant environment risk and uncertainty associated with the project”.

A DECISION to approve an amendment to the McArthur River Mine’s management plan without a maximum zinc and lead discharge threshold will have negative consequences for downstream traditional owners, the Northern Land Council has warned.

Territory Resources Minister Paul Kirby approved the amendment on Tuesday, paving the way for work to start on the mine’s tailings storage facility and seepage interception system.

But NLC chief executive Marion Scrymgour said the decision was “premature”, saying the NT Environment Protection Authority had warned of “significant environment risk and uncertainty associated with the project”.

Ms Scrymgour said Aboriginal people in the region felt their concerns about the environmental impact of the mine had been “largely ignored”, calling on mine owner Glencore to formally engage with TOs.

“This is another example in a long history of traditional owners being ignored,” she said.

“Aboriginal people in the mine area have consistently been denied involvement in decision making related to the mine, and have not seen the economic benefits that a native title mining agreement would justly bestow.”

NLC chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi said the mine had already caused significant environmental issues, including the improper characterisation of waste rock, lead contamination of fish in Barney Creek, plumes of smoke fumes rich in sulphur dioxide and cattle being contaminated with lead.

“The mine’s operating conditions for annual loads of lead and zinc discharged to the McArthur River are far from leading environmental management practice,” he said.

“They do not have a maximum set threshold for the discharge of lead and zinc. This would be of significant concern to Borroloola residents and other downstream Traditional Owners and community members.”

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But Mr Kirby said the EPA had found that the McArthur River was in “good condition” and that maintaining river health should be the central focus for all future stages of the mine.

“We have listened to our independent environmental watchdog, the NTEPA, and have created a pathway through (the) approval for the implementation of all 30 recommendations made in the NTEPA’s assessment report,” he said.

“Ongoing development of the mining industry in the NT is important. Our government expects it to be done in a sustainable and responsible manner, maximising economic benefits while focusing on minimising environmental impact.”

MRM general manager Sam Strohmayr said the company had been through “a detailed and robust process which would ensure the continued good health of the McArthur River”.

“Our ongoing consultation with TOs, custodians and other local community members is extensive and includes open community meetings, regular discussions with residents in Borroloola and monthly visits to our site,” he said.

Originally published as TOs’ concerns ‘largely ignored’ on McArthur River Mine: Land Council