Mining reform to strengthen environmental regulation

25 October 2023

The Northern Territory Government has today introduced reforms to improve the Territory’s environmental management of mining activities and provide greater certainty for industry, following public consultation on the draft legislation.

The new Environmental Protection Legislation Amendment (Mining) Bill 2023 reforms will implement a modern, streamlined and effective system to support the ecologically sustainable development of the mining industry in the Territory. 

This Bill introduces a new, best practice legislative framework for managing the environmental impacts of mining based on the risk of the activity to the environment, with a contemporary outcome-focused approach to regulation.

The Mining Bill introduces:
- a new 3 tier risk-based licencing system to manage mining activities
- extends existing compliance and enforcement powers under the EP Act; and
- provides for incorporation of impacts previously managed through multiple regulatory approvals, under the one overarching environmental (mining) licence.

The Legacy Mines Remediation Bill 2023 was also introduced today, to provide a new regulatory framework for the Mining Remediation Fund and the payment of the mining remediation levy to underpin the Government’s commitment to the remediation of legacy mines. 

Once passed, the Northern Territory will have the most contemporary environmental framework for the management of mining and legacy mines in the country, and will be at the forefront of ongoing innovation and developments in legacy mine remediation.

Northern Territory’s mining industry represents the largest source of the Territory’s own revenue

Worth over $6 billion, employing over 5,000 people directly – resources are the jobs of the future as Australia and the world transitions – the Territory will be a global supplier of what the world needs.

Mining is a priority economic activity in the Northern Territory, and it is important for the industry to further develop in an ecologically sustainable manner, enabled by streamlined, contemporary and robust legislation.

The Territory Labor Government is delivering on our commitment to support the growth and diversification of a sustainable resources industry with improved environmental regulatory frameworks.

For more information on consultation outcomes visit haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/environmental-reforms  

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Lauren Moss:

“The new legislative framework is set to implement a modern, streamlined and effective system to support the ecologically sustainable development of the mining industry in the Territory. 

“It will also increase transparency and accountability of the regulator and mining operators, delivering stronger environmental outcomes in the regulation of mining activities.

“These proposed reforms are critical to ensure we have a robust regulatory system in place for the sustainable development of our mineral resources, thereby protecting the Territory’s unique environment.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mining and Industry, Nicole Manison: 

“These reforms ensure we have streamlined environmental assessments system that will give greater certainty to the mining industry and streamline processes to faster approvals.

“These changes will help make the Northern Territory a more attractive place for mining investment with a modernised environmental system.

“These changes mean Territorians can have confidence that mining can take place in a sustainable way with strong environmental protections in place.”

Ends

Northern Territory Government