Jon Lamb, Darwin
Ongoing problems at various mine sites and concerns about industrial and urban developments across the Northern Territory have prompted renewed calls for the creation of an independent environment protection authority. The absence of such a body in the NT has resulted in poor monitoring and assessment of the environmental impact of mining companies and developers.
Responding to further revelations of contaminations from the closed Mt Todd gold mine, the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (ECNT) issued a media release on February 10 stating, "The growing catalogue of toxic problems across the NT, and the push for more and faster urban and industrial development, highlight the urgent need for the creation of an independent EPA for the NT".
ABC TV reported on February 9 that more contaminated waste was seeping from a damaged bund wall at the Mt Todd mine into a creek that flows into the nearby Edith River. This followed an incident in late January when a cyanide waste storage tank ruptured, spilling 500 litres of liquid.
Local traditional owners and amateur fishing groups have regularly complained about the waste that enters the Edith River (which flows into the majestic Daly River) from the abandoned mine, estimated to include some 17 tonnes of copper annually. Jawoyn Association representative Mick Pearce told the ABC that he and his people were "scared" about pollution from the mine.
The NT Minerals Council opposes the creation of an EPA, claiming that the current procedures and structures will suffice with improved resources. This is despite a damning audit conducted into the operations of the Northern Territory Mines and Energy Department. The findings called for the complete dissolution and restructuring of the department. Some minor structural changes have been made, but these are superficial given the magnitude of the current and looming environmental problems resulting from mining.
ECNT coordinator Peter Robertson said: "For many months now, a Parliamentary committee has been inquiring into the need for an EPA in the NT. It's time for the government to bite the bullet and announce that a strong, independent and well-resourced EPA will be created.
"Without such a body, the public can have no confidence that the accelerating pace of development will not lead to many more serious environmental, and community health and safety, problems."
Another example of such problems is the Ranger uranium mine. Mine owner Energy Resources Australia is currently in court over a number of incidents, including contamination of workers and failure to properly clean machinery that has left the mine site.
From Green Left Weekly, February 16, 2005.
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