The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has released the draft Terms of Reference for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Union Reefs North Underground Mine for public review.
NT Mining Operations Pty Ltd is proposing to develop and mine a new underground gold mine on the existing Union Reefs mine site near Pine Creek, Northern Territory. The proposal requires: dewatering up to 85 megalitres from an existing mine pit lake, construction of underground access portal and mine, and progressively returning most waste rock to the underground void. The proposal will use existing infrastructure for processing, tailings and workforce. Less than 1 hectare of surface clearing is required and reuse of pit water for processing results in an estimated maximum annual water requirement of 63 megalitres.
The NT EPA decided that the Union Reefs North Underground Mine requires assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act 1982. The proposal is a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; controlling provisions are sections 18 and 18A (listed threatened species and communities). The proposal will be assessed as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the bilateral agreement between the NT and Australian governments.
The draft Terms of Reference were developed by the NT EPA to assist NT Mining Operations Pty Ltd in preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Union Reefs North Underground Mine.
The draft Terms of Reference are now available for public comment. Comments are to be submitted on or before COB 16 October 2019.
The NT EPA will then finalise and issue the Terms of Reference to NT Mining Operations Pty Ltd for preparation of the EIS.
To obtain a copy of the draft Terms of Reference and to make a submission visit www.ntepa.nt.gov.au/envirocomment.