Yes the recommendations should be manageable but to be balanced in posting they will be expensive to manage. Whatever the feasibility is now it will be diluted now in terms of cost of production. The security bond will be many millions for a start. Following is a detailed list of them. I notice this morning here in Alice Springs that head greenie, Jimmy Cocking, from ALEC, the local environment protection group and member of the Alice Springs Town Council has come out swinging. The environment movement is strong here having mobilised to stop fracking for gas on the grounds of groundwater contamination . They will be making sure that all the recommendations are carried out and may well mobilise against the mine.
Dr Vogel says the EPA had “identified potentially significant environmental impacts and risks associated with the proposal and made 16 recommendations to avoid and mitigate those impacts.
“Potential contaminants and the presence of naturally occurring radioactive materials in these waste streams warrant independent technical review and operational oversight to ensure the risks are minimised to the lowest extent practicable and to promote a transparent regulatory process.”
The EPA also considers there is “potential for impacts on groundwater hydrological processes and associated environmental values. The sustainable use and management of groundwater resources is important in an arid zone where the project is located.
“The NT EPA recommends further hydrological investigations including refining the groundwater model, setting site-specific groundwater level triggers and adaptive management of groundwater use.”
Dr Vogel says a mine closure plan should be regularly updated and there should be a security bond to ensure the costs of rehabilitation and post-closure liabilities are not borne by the NT Government and the community in the event of the operator abandoning the site or becoming insolvent.
The EPA notes that uncertainty remains around the potential for significant environmental impacts. Environmental commitments, safeguards and recommendations outlined in the EIS and required by the EPA must be implemented by the company “with a high level of oversight and strong compliance enforcement by the relevant regulator throughout the life of the project”.
ARU Price at posting:
11.5¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
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